US09523830B2

A parallel optical module includes a light-emitting or light-receiving element array 101 placed on a substrate 100, an optical connector 103 optically connecting the optical element array 101 and an external optical fiber array 105, the optical connector 103 having a shape of at least an octahedron which is bilaterally symmetrical about the center of the outer shape thereof viewed along the optical axis direction, and an engaging member 104 placed on the same substrate 100 as the substrate on which the optical element array 101 is mounted, the engaging member having a groove onto which the optical connector 103 is fitted. A side wall of the groove of the engaging member 104 has an inclination corresponding to, among each surface of the optical connector 103, a second surface 110 adjacent to a first surface 109 facing the optical element array 101 in the direction perpendicular to the substrate.
US09523809B2

A light emitting apparatus in which light of different colors can be irradiated depending on the locations of a light guide member used in the light emitting apparatus and in accordance with the environment of a facility or a user's demand, a light source member includes a plurality of light source members each with one or more light sources, and adjacent light source parts emitting light of different colors with each other. The light guide member includes a recess which is formed between the respective input surfaces through which the light from the corresponding light source parts is input and which has a recess side surface that reflects at least some of the light input through the input surfaces; a plurality of extension parts that respectively guide mainly the light input from the corresponding light source parts through the input surfaces; and a cutout portion formed between the extension parts.
US09523795B2

An antistatic antireflection film, including; a support; a hardcoat layer formed from a composition for a hardcoat layer containing at least a compound having a quaternary ammonium salt group; and a low refractive index layer formed from a composition for a low refractive index layer containing at least the following (a), (b), (c) and (d), in this order, wherein, (a) is an ethylenically unsaturated group-containing fluoropolymer, (b) is a fluorine-containing polyfunctional monomer having a surface free energy of 23 mN/m or more when a film is formed alone, four or less —CF3 groups in a molecule, a fluorine content of 30% or more, and at least three reactive functional groups in one molecule, (c) is hollow silica fine particles having an average particle size of 10 nm to 100 nm, and (d) is a compound having a dimethylsiloxane structure.
US09523789B2

Systems, methods, and transmitter assemblies for exploring geophysical formations at great depths. In order to explore the formation, transmitter assemblies with a size less than 500 nanometers are inserted into the formation. The transmitter assemblies propel through the formation, analyzing fluids and conditions as each moves through the formation. The transmitter assemblies can communicate with a machine on the surface via a series of receivers and transmitters located in the wellbore. The machine on the surface is able to combine and analyze the data from the nanorobots to create a three dimensional map of the formation. The map shows the locations of pathways through the formation, pockets of hydrocarbons within the formation, and the boundaries of the formation.
US09523781B2

A method can include providing seismic data values for a subsurface region that includes a reflector; determining a gradient magnitude value based on at least a portion of the seismic data values; normalizing the gradient magnitude value using a nonlinear normalization equation that includes a gradient magnitude variable divided by a normalization variable raised to a power that depends on an adjustable parameter; and outputting the normalized gradient magnitude value. Various other apparatuses, systems, methods, etc., are also disclosed.
US09523766B2

A method for phase error correction in a synthetic aperture (SA) imaging system is configured to image a target region of a scene from a platform in relative movement with respect to the scene. The method includes acquiring target SA data from the target region and reference SA data from a reference region of the scene, using a SA acquisition unit. One or more phase correction factors are determined from the reference SA data based on an assumption that the reference region has a known topography. The phase correction factors are representative of uncompensated optical-path-length fluctuations along the optical path between the reference region and the SA acquisition unit mounted on the platform. A phase correction is applied to the target SA data based on the phase correction factors so as to obtain phase-corrected target SA data. A SA imaging system implementing the method is also disclosed.
US09523763B2

A system and methods for resolving integer cycle ambiguity in medium wave carrier radio signals are presented. A satellite signal is received at a receiving location and a measured code phase of the satellite signal is measured. A satellite location estimate of the receiving location is computed based on the measured code phase. Medium wave radio carrier signals from medium wave radio transmitters are received at the receiving location. A number of wavelengths of the medium wave radio carrier signals from the satellite location estimate to each of the medium wave radio transmitters is determined respectively. A carrier phase of each of the medium wave radio carrier signals is measured. An improved position estimate of the receiving location is computed based on the number of wavelengths and the carrier phase of each of the medium wave radio carrier signals, and a location of each of the medium wave radio transmitters.
US09523761B1

A system and method is disclosed for using two or more currently installed antenna elements on a vehicle for geolocation of a remote emitter. Redundant antenna elements initially installed for a non-geolocation purpose are employed to receive signals from the remote emitter. A splitter is used to tap from the received signal where the content of the received signal, if desired, is available to a non-geolocation receiver for which the antenna element was originally designed. The splitter transmits the split portion of the signal to a geolocation sensing receiver for signal processing based on a two or more antenna element geolocation solution.
US09523757B2

A broadcasting device includes a broadcasting unit configured to broadcast positional information indicating an indoor position of the broadcasting device to a predetermined area, wherein the broadcasting unit broadcasts range information indicating the size of the predetermined area together with the positional information.
US09523756B2

As disclosed herein, a PFC control device, may be used for power factor correction and for input power and current measurement simultaneously. To determine the input power, input voltage and input current are determined. These measurements may be performed using a current sensor and a voltage sensor, for example. In an example embodiment of the systems and methods of input power and current measurement disclosed herein, the current is measured after an electromagnetic interference (EMI) filter. The input voltage and input current should be sampled substantially simultaneously. The measured input current is adjusted due to a phase shift introduced in the current sense circuit. The input voltage and input current should be sampled substantially simultaneously. The input power is determined using the PFC input voltage and the adjusted input current. The total input current is determined using the PFC input current and the EMI filter reactive current.
US09523755B2

In a method for non-selective excitation of nuclear spin signals in an examination subject with a magnetic resonance system, RF excitation pulses are radiated to excite nuclear spin signals in the examination subject with simultaneous switching of gradients for spatial coding of the excited nuclear spin signals, wherein the RF excitation pulses are designed such that the base frequency of a radiated RF excitation pulse is adapted to the simultaneously switched gradient. By the dynamic adaptation of the radiated RF excitation pulses to the respective simultaneously switched gradients, artifacts due to insufficiently excited nuclear spins in an examination region to be examined (in particular even in examination regions that are arranged off-center) are avoided.
US09523746B2

A GMR element includes a fixed magnetic layer in which magnetization is fixed; a free magnetic layer in which magnetization is changed by an external magnetic field; and a spacer layer which is positioned between the fixed magnetic layer and the free magnetic layer, in which the free magnetic layer is formed by laminating a CoFe alloy and a CoFeB alloy. A current sensor uses the GMR element.
US09523745B2

Provided are a magnetic sensor and a method of manufacturing the same capable of arranging a magnetic converging plate on a substrate on which Hall elements and a circuit are formed, with a small variation in position while suppressing an increase in number of work processes, the magnetic converging plate having high magnetic permeability and low coercive force. In the magnetic sensor and the method of manufacturing the same, in forming Hall elements and a circuit on a silicon substrate, a magnetic converging plate holder having a pattern recessed to have the same shape and size as those of a magnetic converging plate is formed, and, into the magnetic converging plate holder, the magnetic converging plate manufactured through processes different from those of the silicon substrate on which the Hall elements and the circuit are formed is inserted.
US09523742B2

A circuit includes a current source having at least first terminal and a second, control terminal. The current source is configured to receive a current control signal at the control terminal and in response thereto generates a first current signal at the first terminal. The current control signal controls a current level of the first current signal. The circuit also includes at least one sensing element responsive to one or more sense parameters and having an input adapted to couple to the first terminal of said current source. The sensing element is configured to receive one or more current signals comprising at least the first current signal and in response thereto generates a sensed output signal at an output thereof. A corresponding method for operating the circuit is also provided.
US09523733B2

Embodiments of the invention relate to automatic test equipment for testing a circuit having an oscillating crystal and to a method for operating such automatic test equipment. A generator generates a first signal comprising an oscillating part having at least one predetermined frequency. A first terminal couples the first signal to the oscillating crystal. At least one predetermined frequency is located inside a predetermined window around one of the resonance frequencies of the oscillating crystal. An analyzer has a second terminal coupled to the oscillating crystal for detecting a second signal and a rectifier connected in series with a low-pass filter for rectifying and filtering the second signal. A detector for detects a DC-signal at the output of the low-pass filter and for signals a valid test result for the oscillating crystal if the DC-signal exceeds a certain threshold value.
US09523723B2

For maximum power point tracking, a method filters a power monitoring signal with a tracking fractional order filter to generate a filtered power monitoring signal. The method further generates a tracking signal tracking the power point from the filtered power monitoring signal.
US09523722B2

A monolithic integrated circuit device may include a supply voltage glitch detector for detecting improper supply voltage conditions. Advantageously, the detection threshold of the supply voltage glitch detector is adaptively set based on the mode of operation of the device or a particular part of the device, which is internally known to the device based on certain inputs received by the device, such as commands, interrupts, control signals, and so forth.
US09523721B2

Example embodiments of a processor current monitor include a switching voltage regulator including a series-connected LC filter including a first inductor, with the first inductor having an inductance value of L1, a first terminal coupled to a switch and a second terminal coupled to a first node, and with the LC filter further including a first capacitor, with the first capacitor having a capacitance value of C1, a first terminal coupled to the first node and a second terminal coupled to a second node, where the switch is configured to couple the inductor to an input voltage at a selected frequency and with the switching voltage regulator configured to supply an output current from the first node to a processor, an inductor current monitoring element 729, coupled to the first inductor, configured to output a first signal indicating the magnitude of current flowing through the first inductor, a capacitor current monitoring element 719, coupled to the first capacitor, configured to output a second signal indicating the magnitude of current flowing through the first capacitor, and a summing element 741, coupled to receive the first and second signals, configured to output a current monitor signal indicating the sum of the first and second signals and with the current monitor signal indicating the magnitude of the output current.
US09523716B2

There is provided a probe guide plate. The probe guide plate includes: a substrate having a through hole for guiding a probe, which is formed through the substrate, wherein the substrate includes a first main surface and a second main surface opposite to the first main surface; and a first insulating film formed on an inner wall of the through hole and on the first and second main surfaces of the substrate such that portions of the first and second main surfaces of the substrate are exposed.
US09523676B2

A leukocyte measurement device is provided with a spread inspection window at a position separated from an opening part along a spreading direction of a blood-derived sample in a carrier, for making the carrier visible from outside. When the blood-derived sample is dropped from the opening part, leukocytes contained in the blood-derived sample are captured by the carrier in the vicinity of a dropping position, while erythrocytes and/or hemoglobin and the like spread through the carrier from the dropping position into a predetermined direction. Therefore, in the leukocyte measurement device, seeing through the spread inspection window the color of the erythrocytes and/or hemoglobin spread from the dropping position can determine whether it has already been used or not, whereby a simple structure can prevent measurers from erroneously reusing it.
US09523669B2

Embodiments of the present invention relate to a method comprising obtaining a radio frequency response of a lab-on-chip based resonator with virus deposited within a recess of the resonator, determining at least one parameter of the radio frequency response and identifying a type of the virus or a group to which the virus belongs based on the at least one parameter.
US09523666B2

In one embodiment, active (continuous or intermittent) passivation may be employed to prevent interaction of sticky molecules with interfaces inside of an instrument (e.g., an infrared absorption spectrometer) and thereby improve response time. A passivation species may be continuously or intermittently applied to an inlet of the instrument while a sample gas stream is being applied. The passivation species may have a highly polar functional group that strongly binds to either water or polar groups of the interfaces, and once bound presents a non-polar group to the gas phase in order to prevent further binding of polar molecules. The instrument may be actively used to detect the sticky molecules while the passivation species is being applied.
US09523653B2

A disposable electrochemical test sensor designed to facilitate sampling of fluid samples. It has a fluid chamber having a novel extra wide sampling entrance, but no additional air escape vent. The chamber provides a reservoir from which a sample fluid can be drawn into the chamber through capillary action. The sampling entrance provided can draw fluid into the chamber through any part of the opening, allowing easy targeting the samples with small volume, picking up smeared samples, and added tolerance to users who jam the tip of the sensor into users' finger. The sampling entrance also serves as air escape vent. Such one opening sensor alleviates over-flow issue often encountered in convenient sensors.
US09523643B2

Provided is a protein concentration assay method that uses a protein indicating reagent and that enables highly accurate assay. The protein concentration assay method includes: optically analyzing a color exhibited after a sample to be assayed and a protein indicating reagent are brought into contact with each other; measuring pH of the sample to be assayed; and assaying a concentration of protein in the sample based on the result of the optical analysis, the measured value of pH, and data for protein concentration assay, wherein the protein indicating reagent is a protein indicating reagent whose color varies with pH and a concentration of protein, and the data for protein concentration assay include information indicating a way to assay the result of the optical analysis corresponding to the measured value of pH.
US09523638B2

A gas cell assembly and applications of the gas cell assembly in absorption spectroscopy. An example gas cell assembly includes a gas cell body with an inlet for receiving a gas sample from a gas source; a first and a second end portions that allow optical transmission into and out of the body, the second end portion being substantially opposite from the first end portion; and a channel providing a path for the gas sample and optical beam(s) between the first end portion and the second end portion. The gas cell assembly also includes reflective surfaces outside the body to receive versions of the optical beams from the body and to reflect each version of the incident beam towards the body. A detector, then, receives a last reflected beam and transmits a corresponding data signal to a processing unit for analyzing the gas sample based on the data signal.
US09523631B2

A load detecting device that can highly accurately detect the magnitude and direction of a load whose direction of action changes regardless of the dimension of a pin is provided. Also, a working machine that is provided with this load detecting device and allows work to be performed safely and highly efficiently is provided. The load detecting device is configured with a pin-type load cell 4 and a load calculating unit 30. The pin-type load cell 4 is provided with three pairs of or three strain detecting units that are placed in the circumferential direction of the pin body 1. The load calculating unit 30 selects, from among the three or more pairs of or three or more strain detecting units, two pairs of or two strain detecting units that are less influenced by a change in the cross-sectional shape of the pin body 1, and calculates a load that acts on the pin body 1 according to an output of these selected strain detecting units.
US09523630B2

An embedder for embedding specimens in paraffin wax includes: a body having a paraffin reservoir for containing the paraffin wax; and a mobile dispenser disposed on the body, capable of being taken off from the body, and defining an inlet and an outlet, the inlet being communicated with the paraffin reservoir via a connecting tube so as to supply the paraffin wax in the paraffin reservoir to the mobile dispenser via the connecting tube, the mobile dispenser dispensing the paraffin wax via the outlet. With the embedder according to embodiments of the present invention, by means of the mobile dispenser detachably connected with the body, the embedder is flexible to use, convenient to operate, and high in efficiency.
US09523623B2

Methods of testing a honeycomb filter include the step of maintaining an average temperature of the honeycomb filter and/or fog within a range of from about 10° C. to about 30° C. and flowing a fog with moisture droplets into the honeycomb network of channels at the first end portion of the honeycomb filter, the fog including a relative humidity of at least 80%. In further examples, the moisture droplets include a mean droplet size of from about 1 micron to about 25 microns.
US09523622B2

Provided is a lateral rollover limit detection system which can determine the lateral rollover danger of a structure for which the weight or the weight distribution has not been clarified. A placement board, springs, and detection object are provided as a structure in which the placement board is supported with springs on both sides of an oscillation central axis with an acceleration sensor for detecting the reciprocating motion in an up-down direction of the placement board, and an arithmetic part which, on the basis of the inclination angle of the placement board in a direction of rotation around the oscillation central axis with respect to the horizontal plane in a standstill state of the detection object and the detection result by the acceleration sensor, calculates a limit center-of-gravity height beyond which the detection object is rolled over for a center-of-gravity location on the placement board of the structure being provided.
US09523620B2

It is an object of the present invention to provide a metal diaphragm capable of achieving a higher strength, excellent corrosion resistance, and a smooth surface condition, and a pressure sensor including the diaphragm. The diaphragm according to the present invention includes a two-phase stainless steel having a composition of 24 to 26 mass % Cr, 2.5 to 3.5 mass % Mo, 5.5 to 7.5 mass % Ni, 0.03 mass % or less C, 0.08 to 0.3 mass % N, and the balance Fe and inevitable impurities, and having a 0.2% proof stress of 1300 MPa or higher.
US09523600B2

A gauging method for a plastic fuel tank mounted on a hybrid vehicle, the tank including a reservoir including a gauge for measuring an amount of fuel in the tank, the method including: measuring the amount of fuel in the tank using the gauge; estimating deformation of the tank using at least one sensor onboard the vehicle; and correcting the amount measured by the gauge based on the estimated deformation.
US09523591B2

Disclosed is an encoder and encoding method for slip ring. The encoder includes: an encoding belt that is fixed to a slip ring and has a plurality of holes regularly arranged on the encoding belt; at least one pair of first sensors provided on one side of the encoding belt, wherein the first sensors of each pair generate a first sense signal and a first redundant sense signal respectively based on light emitted from the other side of the encoding belt and passing through the plurality of holes, when the encoding belt rotates with the slip ring; and at least one signal combiner connected to the at least one pair of the first sensors, and configured to combine the first sense signal and the first redundant sense signal to obtain a combined sense signal as a first encoded signal. With embodiments of the present invention, a redundant signal is provided by using a redundant sensor, and it is possible to avoid interference of foreign substance, improve stability of encoded signals and ensure normal operation of equipment.
US09523589B2

A rotation angle measurement apparatus includes: a first Hall element pair for detecting a magnetic component in a first direction; a second Hall element pair for detecting a magnetic component in a second direction different from the first direction; a third Hall element pair for detecting a magnetic component in a third direction different from the first direction and the second direction; and a fourth Hall element pair for detecting a magnetic component in a fourth direction different from the first to third directions. An angle calculation unit calculates a first rotation angle θ of a rotating magnet based upon the strengths of the output signals from the first Hall element pair and the second Hall element pair, and calculates a second rotation angle θc of the rotating magnet based upon the strengths of the output signals from the third Hall element pair and the fourth Hall element pair.
US09523566B2

Electric circuit for estimating the angular position of a rotor of an electric motor, including: a sensing module configured to receive at least one electric signal representative of a drive current of the electric motor and to generate a measurement signal indicative of a switching of the at least one electric signal and a switching index indicative of the type of switching, rising or falling, of the at least one electric signal; and a computing module configured to supply, from the measurement signal and switching index a position signal representative of an angular position of the electric motor rotor.
US09523553B2

An improved device for enabling a user to quickly and securely attach and detach an accessory (e.g., a scope, light, bayonet, etc.) to the Picatinny or tactical rail of a firearm. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a locking pin, in mechanical conjunction with a spring and a locking disk, cause a key to engage with a select channel of a Picatinny rail while a forward and rear fence of the present invention engage the rail flanges of said Picatinny rail. The device is relatively inexpensive to manufacture and safe and easy to use.
US09523548B2

Methods, computer-readable media, and systems are disclosed for controlling a turret assembly with two or more gimbaled, swivel assembly sub-systems, such as a gimbaled gun and a gimbaled electro-optical sensor. The turret can be automatically slewed in response to one of the swivel assemblies rotating. A user can switch turret modes reflecting a priority between the gimbaled sub-systems system so that one takes priority over the other(s) during a mission.
US09523541B2

A cooling fin structure used in a cooler for an electric device includes a plurality of pin fins (71) arranged in a zigzag form in a coolant passage (80). Each of the pin fins (71) has a circular portion (72) having a circular cross-section, and irregularly shaped portions (73) provided contiguously on the upstream and downstream sides of the circular portion (72) as viewed in a direction of flow of the coolant. The irregularly shaped portions (73) have an outer peripheral surface (75) that is formed along a circumference (130) having a center at a center point (101) of the circular portion (72) of a pin fin (71, 71B) that is located adjacent to the pin fin (71, 71A) having the irregularly shaped portions (73), in an oblique direction relative to the direction of flow of the coolant.
US09523537B2

A system includes an intercooler configured to receive an airflow from a first compressor, to transfer heat from the airflow to a working fluid, and to provide the airflow to a second compressor. The system also includes an evaporative chiller configured to receive the working fluid from the intercooler, to chill the working fluid via evaporative cooling within an ambient air environment, and to provide the working fluid to the intercooler. In addition, the system includes a desiccant system configured to reduce a humidity of ambient air within the evaporative chiller.
US09523531B2

A refrigerator includes a storage chamber having an opening; a drawer type door to open or close the opening; a display positioned at the drawer type door; a first connector provided at a sidewall of the storage chamber; a second connector provided at the drawer type door and being electrically connected to the display; a first frame coupled to an inner wall of the storage chamber, the first frame to cover the first connector; a second frame coupled to the drawer type door, the second frame to support a storage box; and a wire electrically connected between the first connector and the second connector. The first frame has a first accommodating part to accommodate one portion of the wire and the second frame has a second accommodating part to accommodate another portion of the wire.
US09523527B2

A hollow ice-making forming mold comprises an inner membrane (1) which is in a fixed shape after charging air and an outer membrane (2) which is in a fixed shape after liquid injection and is disposed outside the inner membrane (1); a base plate (3) is arranged at the bottom of the outer membrane (2); the bottoms of the inner and outer membranes are hermetically connected with the base plate (3) respectively, wherein an airtight air chamber (5) is formed between the inner membrane (1) and the base plate (3), and a cavity (6) for pouring cooling liquid is formed between the inner membrane (1) and the outer membrane (2); an air filling and water injecting member (4) is provided at the top of the inner membrane (1); a top part of the outer membrane (2) is connected with an upper part of the air filling and water injecting member (4) by a detachable way. A usage of the mold comprises charging the air chamber (5) through an air inlet (41), closing the air inlet (41), connecting the outer membrane (2) and the air filling and water injecting member (4), injecting the liquid into the cavity (6) through an injection hole (42), disposing the mold in a cooling environment, detaching the connection between the outer membrane (2) and air filling and water injecting member (4), discharging the air of the air chamber and obtaining the molded ice block.
US09523524B2

A refrigeration apparatus that employs a refrigerant compressor has an expansion device coupled between an evaporator and a condenser. A first heat exchanger has (a) a main passage coupled between the evaporator and the inlet of the compressor, and (b) a complementary passage. This first heat exchanger may be a serpentine pipe inside a tank. A second heat exchanger has (a) a principal passage coupled between the condenser and the outlet of the compressor, and (b) an auxiliary passage. This second heat exchanger may be an inner and outer pair of coaxial pipes. The complementary passage of the first heat exchanger is coupled between a fluid pump and the auxiliary passage of the second heat exchanger. The auxiliary passage of the second heat exchanger is coupled between the fluid pump and the complementary passage of the first heat exchanger. A controller can operate the fluid pump based on measured parameters such as outside ambient temperature or compressor outlet pressure.
US09523523B2

A system for managing fluid level in an HVAC system includes a spill over tank for an evaporator of the HVAC system. The spill over tank may be configured to receive a refrigerant directed out of the evaporator. The spill over tank may be configured to include an outlet directing refrigerant into the spill over tank, out of the spill over tank and flowing back to a compressor of the HVAC system. The spill over tank may be equipped with a refrigerant level sensor measuring a refrigerant level in the spill over tank. The measured refrigerant level in the spill over tank may be used to control and/or maintain a refrigerant level in the evaporator, and/or to control a return refrigerant flow into the compressor of the HVAC system so as to manage an oil return to the compressor.
US09523511B2

An indoor unit of an air-conditioning apparatus includes a housing having a wall extending in a horizontal direction, and a front panel covering at least a part of a front side of the wall. On a region of the wall covered by the front panel, an opening leading to a front end of a space in which a network repeater for wirelessly communicating with a network is to be contained is formed. The opening is configured to be exposed in a state in which a whole or a part of the front panel is removed or opened.
US09523506B2

Embodiments of the present invention provide double deep, single width ovens for use in aircraft galleys. The ovens are particularly beneficial as they do not change current catering process or equipment, leading to their ease of acceptability and use in the airline galley design and development industry. The ovens may be used with two standard 32-meal carriers, such that the carriers are positioned front to back in the oven. Alternatively, 64-meal carriers may be developed that fit into the double deep oven as well.
US09523504B2

A fuel manifold and fuel injector arrangement comprises an annular fuel manifold and a plurality of fuel injectors. Each fuel injector comprises a fuel injector head and a hollow fuel feed arm. Each fuel injector has a pipe to supply fuel to the fuel injector head. The pipe extends from the fuel feed arm and through a corresponding aperture in the casing. The annular fuel manifold is arranged around the casing and the annular fuel manifold comprises a plurality of connectors. Each connector has a socket aligned with a corresponding aperture in the casing. Each pipe has a plug arranged to be radially slidably mounted in the socket of the corresponding connector of the annular fuel manifold to allow relative radial movement between the casing and the annular fuel manifold.
US09523499B1

The disclosure provides an oxygen carrier for a chemical looping cycle, such as the chemical looping combustion of solid carbonaceous fuels, such as coal, coke, coal and biomass char, and the like. The oxygen carrier is comprised of at least 24 weight % (wt %) CuO, at least 10 wt % Fe2O3, and an inert support, and is typically a calcine. The oxygen carrier exhibits a CuO crystalline structure and an absence of iron oxide crystalline structures under XRD crystallography, and provides an improved and sustained combustion reactivity in the temperature range of 600° C.-1000° C. particularly for solid fuels such as carbon and coal.
US09523491B2

A luminaire including a housing made of thermally conductive material having a top, a bottom and two opposite sides connecting the top to the bottom, each side having plurality of external, vertically spaced, substantially parallel cooling fins that extend longitudinally and project laterally outwardly of the housing, preferably at a shallow downward and outward angle. The housing configuration provides a large surface area per unit of housing length to optimize heat dissipation. A configurable, cartridge-like LED bezel assembly—readily replaceable in the field—is supported on the bottom of the housing. A driver for the LED assembly—also readily replaceable in the field—is located within the housing.
US09523489B1

A grow light cooling system is disclosed for use within a grow facility. In at least one embodiment, the system provides an elongate enclosure having an at least one intake end and an at least one exhaust end, along with an at least one grow light suspended therewithin. The at least one intake end provides an intake fan configured for drawing air into said intake end. The at least one exhaust end provides an exhaust fan configured for expelling air from said exhaust end. A bottom surface of the enclosure provides an at least one cutout positioned substantially underneath each of the at least one grow light. The at least one grow light is positioned in substantially close proximity to the bottom surface of the enclosure, thereby causing airflow within the enclosure to form a relatively thin air curtain that flows across the at least one cutout.
US09523484B2

An illumination device having a pole mount, a light support that extends from the pole mount, a lighting unit is connected to the pole mount, and a solar panel assembly is mounted to the lighting unit. The pole mount is adapted to be fitted to poles having different diameters. In another embodiment an illumination apparatus is provided having a pole mount and a lighting assembly, and the pole mount has a first clamp half and a second clamp half. A hinge joins the first half and the second clamp half together and the first clamp half and the second clamp half are movable from an open clamp position to a closed clamp position. When in the closed clamp position the pole mount clamp defines a pole opening. A first light support extends from the first clamp half and a light emitting assembly is supported by the first light support.
US09523472B2

A vehicle lighting apparatus includes a light source section and a lens disposed at a front side of the light source section to refract light from the light source section. A movable member has an end portion on which the lens is seated. A support member has an end portion which is coupled to the light source section and slidably coupled to the movable member such that the movable member is movable in a forward and rearward direction of the light source section.
US09523465B2

A lubrication system thermostat for controlling the flow of oil in a lubrication system includes a valve and an actuator. The valve is configured to modulate between an unmodulated position and a modulated position, each of which may be in an open position or a closed position. In the open position, at least a portion of the oil flow is unobstructed, and in the closed position, the oil flow is substantially blocked. The actuator is configured to modulate the valve. The actuator includes a thermal element configured to generate mechanical displacement when subjected to a temperature change such that the valve is movable from and returnable to the unmodulated position. The lubrication system thermostat may be in a normally-open configuration, in which the unmodulated position is the open position, or a normally-closed configuration, in which the unmodulated position is the closed position.
US09523453B2

A locking quick connect assembly is provided for removably coupling a first tube and a second tube. A quick connect housing presents a central bore for receiving the second tube. A redundant latch component positionable between an unlocked position and a locked position may be provided to slidingly engage the quick connect housing. A twist lock retainer surrounds the quick connect housing and the redundant latch component. The redundant latch component includes an axially extending redundant latch retaining arm and the twist lock retainer includes a locking channel for receiving the redundant latch retaining arm. The twist lock retainer also includes a twist lock retaining arm that locks against a bead of the second tube to resists separation. The twist lock retaining arm extends perpendicularly to and radially inwardly of the locking channel to interleavingly engage the redundant latch retaining arm thus preventing unwanted decoupling of the assembly.
US09523444B2

A flow rate control device is provided with a flow rate adjustment indication device for operating the displacement of a needle valve relative to a flow passage. The flow rate adjustment indication device is provided with a housing, a rotation transmission member which displaces the needle valve by rotational operation, and an annularly shaped indication ring which has a hole through which the rotation transmission member is inserted. The indication ring has graduations which indicate a change in the flow rate of liquid. The engagement of the engagement section of the needle valve displaces the indication ring in the circumferential direction and changes the position of the graduations.
US09523440B2

An outlet shutoff valve where pressing surfaces, which press against each other, of a valve member and a valve seat are tilted relative to the vertical direction and where a drive shaft can be driven in a direction tilted relative to the vertical direction. In the outlet shutoff valve, the pressing surfaces are set high on the upstream side of gas flowing in a flow-path-forming pressure chamber, where the gas flows, and low on the downstream side.
US09523437B2

The invention is an electromagnetic actuator with a magnet coil arranged in a housing and with an armature plate, which is movable by energization of the magnet coil in an armature plate space in the direction of a front end of the housing and which is connected to an armature plunger, which at one end is guided through the housing and protrudes into a control space; according to the invention the armature plate is formed with at least one axial pressure compensation bore so as to produce pressure compensation between the armature plate space and the control space, and the housing has at least one bearing with at least one axial groove, in which the armature plunger is mounted movably.
US09523436B2

A novel valve assembly is provided. In one embodiment, the valve assembly includes a seat plate that includes a fluid conduit and an impact bushing that is coupled to the seat plate at a position adjacent to the fluid conduit. The valve assembly also includes a sealing assembly that is configured to form a seal with the impact bushing and to control flow of a fluid through the fluid conduit via relative displacement of the sealing assembly from the impact bushing. Systems and methods related to such a valve assembly are also disclosed. Data supplied from the esp@cenet database-Worldwide.
US09523431B2

A substantially air-tight triple seal arrangement along a seam between first and second tool segments comprises inner, middle and outer seals forming first and second substantially air tight vacuum chambers.
US09523424B2

An epyciclic transmission has a sun gear rotational about a transmission axis, a plurality of planet wheels meshing with the sun gear, and a carrier which supports the planet wheels and is rotational about the transmission axis; the transmission also has a lubricating system provided with at least one nozzle arranged in fixed position, with a collection channel fixed with respect to the carrier and configured to receive a jet of oil exiting from the nozzle, and with at least one pump having a casing fixed to the carrier; the pump is actuated by means of a transmission device in response to the rotation of the carrier to pump the oil from the collection channel to zones on the carrier which require lubrication.
US09523414B2

A variable flow hydraulic tensioner (10) for a chain or belt can include a fixed member (12) having a first port (12a), and a movable member (14) in engaged with the fixed member (12). The movable member (14) can include a second port (14a) initially aligned with respect to the first port (12a) to allow fluid flow therethrough. A first spring (16) can bias the movable member (14) with respect to the fixed member (12) to align the first and second ports (12a, 14a) with respect to one another to allow fluid flow therethrough. A second spring (18) can have less spring force than the first spring (16) to bias the movable member (14) in an opposite direction with respect to the fixed member (12), such that as the chain or belt wears, a differential force between the first and second springs (16, 18) diminishes until the movable member (14) moves relative to the fixed member (12) sufficiently to offset the first and second ports (12a, 14a) with respect to one another to prevent fluid flow therethrough.
US09523411B2

Disclosed is a planetary gear reducer for a vehicular steering apparatus. The planetary gear reducer includes: a sun gear, to which a steering shaft is joined; a planetary gear circumscribing the sun gear; a carrier, to which a rotary shaft of the planetary gear is joined; a ring gear, in which the planetary gear is inscribed; and backlash compensation members. The backlash compensation members are coupled to one or more of the sun gear, the planetary gear, and the ring gear such that the backlash compensation members are rotated in a state where they are in close contact with each other.
US09523409B2

A torque fluctuation absorbing apparatus comprises a first plate member, a second plate member disposed at a position axially offset from the first plate member, an intermediate plate member that is disposed between the first plate member and the second plate member and has a frictional sliding surface mating with the second plate member, rolling elements disposed so as to roll between the intermediate plate member and the first plate member, and resilient member that allows the intermediate plate member and the first plate member to rotate relative to each other. The intermediate plate member and the first plate member have acting sections on a surface whereon at least one of the rolling elements rolls, the acting sections press the intermediate plate member against the second plate member by a relative rotation between the intermediate plate member and the first plate member.
US09523401B2

A device for assembling a railway wheel with brake discs, the brake discs arranged to face each other across a railway wheel web and a center-deviation prevention key penetrating the web, includes a disc support supporting an internal hole of one of the brake discs; a wheel support provided concentrically with the disc support within the disc support, and supporting a hub's bore of the railway wheel on the brake disc supported by the disc support; and a bolt support provided concentrically with the disc support and the wheel support outside of the disc support, and supporting the bolt to correspond to bolt holes formed in the brake discs and the web of the railway wheel. The disc support and the wheel support are individually rotatable about a railway wheel central axis. The disc and wheel supports and the bolt support move up and down relatively to each other.
US09523399B2

A vehicle automatic transmission of a multistage type having a plurality of shift stages selectively established depending on a combination of engagement and release of multiple engagement elements, comprises: a torque converter coupled to an input rotating member of the automatic transmission; an oil pump coupled to a pump side of the torque converter, at least one of the multiple engagement elements being a meshing engagement element, and the meshing engagement element being at least partially disposed on an inner circumferential side of at least one of the torque converter and the oil pump.
US09523397B2

A breather structure is provided with: a communication passage which communicates a cylinder oil chamber with the atmosphere; and a stem which is disposed in the communication passage. A stem receiving section is formed in the side of the connection passage on the side of the cylinder oil chamber, the stem receiving section allowing the stem to be disposed inside with a clearance which allows air to be discharged from the cylinder oil chamber while maintaining the hydraulic pressure within the cylinder oil chamber. An air discharge section opened to the atmosphere is formed on the side of the atmosphere in the connection passage. Also, a pit section which releases the clearance to the air discharge section and a restricting section which restricts the movement of the stem toward the air discharge section are respectively formed in the inner peripheral surface of the communication passage.
US09523393B2

Pulley assemblies for vehicle accessories, such as a water pump. The pulley assembly which can be connected to a related housing member, such as a clutch housing member, includes a pulley member directly driven by the accessory belt of a vehicle engine and a separate pair of bearing members. A preferred use of the pulley assembly is with a hybrid coolant pump with two modes of operation, an electric motor operation, and a mechanical pulley-driven operation. A friction clutch assembly can be positioned inside the housing member and can include a softening spring which minimizes parasitic clutch power consumption.
US09523381B1

A socket for coupling an end piece to a leg member of an article of furniture is described. The socket is insertable into an opening in the leg member and the socket has an opening therein for receiving a stem of the end piece. The socket comprises a tubular body having upper and lower ends. The lower end comprises the opening for receiving the stem of the end piece and the upper end is insertable into the leg member. In addition, the socket comprises a washer attached to the upper end of the socket. When the socket is inserted into the leg member, the washer has an interference fit with the inner diameter of the leg member.
US09523375B2

A fan blade structure applied to a centrifugal fan is provided. The fan blade structure includes a wheel hub and an annular vane. The wheel hub includes a plurality of connecting brackets, and the annular vane includes multiple crests and troughs which interlace to form a continuous curved surface. The continuous curved surface has an outer ring surface and an inner ring surface. The connecting brackets are connected to the inner ring surface and drive the annular vane to rotate.
US09523374B2

The bracket comprising a rail (1) with the base and the holes (2) for fastening to the vertical support. Two pairs of guides (4) in pairs making up the slots narrowing towards the bottom to allocate the top ends of the posts (5), connected with the arched console (9) by means of the stiffeners (6,7) and the strut (8) with at least one tangential flange (10) with a hole (11) to fasten the installed equipment. It is achieved simplifying of operations and reducing time for installation on a wall and a column, simplifying mounting of pump equipment on the arched console surfaces, increasing repairability, durability, providing a possibility of dismantle, compact storing and transporting and re-installation.
US09523372B2

A fan member particularly for use in a vehicle cooling system. A formed metal hub member with a plurality of plastic polymer blade members. The blade members are overmolded on the hub member, preferably individually. The plastic polymer material is molded through openings in the hub member to help securely hold the blade members in place.
US09523368B2

A fan includes a fan frame, a rotor, a stator module and a protection structure. The fan frame has a base seat and the stator module is disposed on the base seat. The stator module includes a silicon steel sheet assembly having multiple splits and multiple outer faces. The rotor is disposed in the fan frame corresponding to the outer faces of the silicon steel sheet assembly. The protection structure includes multiple posts corresponding to the splits of the silicon steel sheet assembly. The posts are welded with the splits by means of laser welding.
US09523366B2

A self-protecting valve assembly for use in conjunction with a sump pump test and monitoring system having a test control module which generates a valve control signal for opening the valve to initiate a test cycle. The valve assembly includes an electrically-actuated valve which is responsive only to a valve-actuating signal and not to the valve control signal. A conversion circuit in the valve assembly converts the valve control signal to a valve actuating signal to actuate the valve. This protects the valve from receiving a false actuating signal in the event of a failure in the test control module.
US09523365B2

An apparatus and method for closed-loop-control of a fluid conveying system that include at least one pump, at least one consumer, at least one controller valve, and at least one armature as an actuator of the at least one control valve. Pressure and volume flow rate of the consumer are controlled independently of each other by a decoupling controller.
US09523364B2

A system (20) has a first compressor (22) and a second compressor (52). A heat rejection heat exchanger (30) is coupled to the first and second compressors to receive refrigerant compressed by the compressors. The system includes an economizer for receiving refrigerant from the heat rejection heat exchanger and reducing an enthalpy of a first portion of the received refrigerant while increasing an enthalpy of a second portion. The second portion is returned to the compressor. The ejector (66) has a primary inlet (70) coupled to the means to receive a first flow of the reduced enthalpy refrigerant. The ejector has a secondary inlet (72) and an outlet (74). The outlet is coupled to the first compressor to return refrigerant to the first compressor. A first heat absorption heat exchanger (80) is coupled to the economizer to receive a second flow of the reduced enthalpy refrigerant and is upstream of the secondary inlet of the ejector. A second heat absorption heat exchanger (90) is between the outlet of the ejector and the first compressor.
US09523354B2

The invention provides a method and system of detecting ice or other foreign matter on a wind turbine blade or damage to a wind turbine blade. The method in one aspect comprises: measuring twisting torque on the blade about its longitudinal axis to provide a detected torque signal; comparing a value based on the detected torque signal with a comparison value, the comparison value derived from one or more measured parameters having a predetermined relationship with the twisting torque about the longitudinal axis of the blade when the blade is operating under normal operating conditions; and determining that ice or other foreign matter is on the blade or that the blade is damaged if the value based on the detected torque signal differs from the comparison value by more than a predetermined amount. Wind turbine blades are designed such that any change in the shape of the blade reduces twisting torque on the blades significantly. Torque about the longitudinal axis of the blade can therefore be used as a sensitive indicator of ice on the blade and of damage to the blade.
US09523347B2

An apparatus for performing a supporting and/or a lifting operation to a wind turbine component inside the wind turbine nacelle is provided. The apparatus comprises at least a tool which comprises a manually operated linear actuator and a mounting device of said linear actuator in an element of the nacelle frame so that said linear actuator can be duly located with respect to the wind turbine component for performing said supporting and/or lifting operation.
US09523338B2

A control system for vehicles equipped with an engine and an automatic transmission mechanism which has a non-running position and a running position one of which is selected by a driver of the vehicle and works to automatically change a speed of an output thereof. The control system basically inhibits the engine from being automatically stopped on an uphill road in order to minimize the rolling back of the vehicle upon start of the vehicle, but is responsive to the driver's intention to permit the engine to be automatically stopped, that is, the switching from the running position to the non-running position to stop the engine.
US09523316B2

A vaporized fuel processing apparatus has a canister capable of adsorbing vaporized fuel generated in a fuel tank, a closing valve provided in the vapor path connecting the canister and the fuel tank and having a valve seat and a valve movable portion, a pressure sensor configured to detect inner pressure of the fuel tank, and an electric control unit. The electric control unit is configured to set a learning value that is an axial distance between the valve seat and the valve movable portion at a valve opening start position at a fail-safe value such that the closing valve is in the valve closing state when the inner pressure of the fuel tank decreases by less than a predetermined value after repeating a stroke control process more than predetermined times.
US09523296B2

Various embodiments of valve assemblies are provided for use in connection with the fluid systems of machines such as engine-powered machines. The valve assemblies may be used for performing fluid refill operations, fluid evacuation operations, fluid purge operations, and other types of fluid operations in connection with machine maintenance.
US09523290B2

A Rankine cycle includes a refrigerant pump, a heat exchanger, an expander and a condenser. The Rankine cycle further includes a clutch provided in a power transmission path extending from an engine to the refrigerant pump. Prior to the operation of the Rankine cycle and during the deceleration of the vehicle, the clutch is fastened and the refrigerant pump is driven with use of the vehicle inertia force.
US09523280B2

A blade comprises a lightweight core, a composite material disposed on the core, and a skin located on the composite material. The composite material comprises fibers incorporated into a thermoplastic resin matrix in the form of a prepreg sheet or wet layup. The rotor blade may also comprise a front edge member attached along at least a portion of a leading edge of the core, a rear edge member attached along at least a portion of a trailing edge of the core, and a skin located over the core, the front edge member, and the rear edge member. The rotor blade may also comprise a spar extending through the core along a longitudinal axis of the rotor blade, and a skin located over the core and the spar. The edge members and the spars may be fabricated from thermoplastic material.
US09523279B2

The present invention is directed to a rotor blade assembly for a wind turbine. The rotor blade assembly includes a rotor blade extending from a blade root to a blade tip. The rotor blade has a pressure side surface and a suction side surface. The pressure side surface and the suction side surface each extend between a leading edge and a trailing edge. The assembly also includes a blade root extension configured to attach to one of the pressure side surface or the suction side surface of the rotor blade adjacent to the blade root. The blade root extension includes at least one blade fence and at least one airflow modifying element. The blade fence extends between a proximal end and a distal end in a chord-wise direction. The proximal end is configured to attach to the rotor blade such that the distal end remains free and spaced apart from the rotor blade. The airflow modifying element is configured at the proximal end of the blade fence. As such, the blade root extension is configured to improve aerodynamic performance of the rotor blade.
US09523274B2

A telemetry system including a tubular. A pump in operable communication with the tubular configured to pump a fluid through the tubular; a flow altering arrangement in operable communication with at least one of the pump and the tubular. A flow interacting detail disposed in the tubular; and a load sensor configured to detect forces imposed on the flow interacting detail due to flow through the flow interacting detail and output signals related to the forces detected. Also included is a method of communicating through a tubular.
US09523265B2

An apparatus for use with a perforating device includes a section having a window and a detonating cord disposed in a bore of the section. The apparatus may include a detonator configured to generate a high order detonation; and a clip connecting the detonator to the detonating cord. The clip may be formed as a ribbon having a base and a prong extending from opposing sides of the base. The base has an opening for receiving the detonator. The prongs have biased ends to secure the detonating cord against a face of the detonator.
US09523233B2

A swing type garage door has one or more of several features, including a door body rotationally connected to a door frame, the door body having one or more of: a trussing system having vertical and horizontal truss members, the horizontal members having openings through which the vertical members extend to distribute a load on the door body to the door frame in both a vertical and a horizontal direction; first and second sections hingedly connected with a hinge to allow ease in transport; a main door body section and a door load truss section hingedly connected at a bottom of the main door body to provide load trussing when the door is open; and at least one brace rotatably connected to the door body on an interior thereof and rotatable between a first bracing position and a second storage position to brace in high wind loading conditions.
US09523199B2

The present invention is related to an impact resistant panel for building construction, and, more particularly is related to panels having a multilayered structure having three or more layers and which may be interconnected to form a resistant surface for a floor, wall or roof of a building. The panel includes a first cladding board layer. An impact layer is affixed to the first cladding board layer and has a toughness to prevent penetration upon impact from flying items travelling due to high wind storms. A second cladding board layer is affixed to the opposite side of the impact resistant layer from the first cladding board layer.
US09523197B2

An acoustic dampening dual-stud construction member is disclosed herein. The dual-stud construction member is composed of two single studs adhered to each other with an acoustic dampening material and spaced a fixed distance apart from each other as a single unitary member which may be used in building construction. Walls having a high sound transmission coefficient may be quickly and easily assembled using the unitary member composed of two studs.
US09523191B2

A mobile terminal booth which provides an area where a mobile terminal can be used in a public place. This mobile terminal booth is provided with a sound absorbing unit which is placed in a public place and partially partitions a space as viewed from the above where a user of a mobile terminal can have a telephone conversation. The sound absorbing unit is made of a laminate consisting of a plurality of sound absorbing layers. The sound absorbing layers are joined together in the form of the laminate with a viscous adhesive which does not solidify after formation of said laminate, and maintains its viscosity when the mobile terminal booth is used.
US09523186B1

A device and method for advertisements upon a ring has a gage of a short cylindrical shape with a centered tip. The gage aligns a planar material, or ring, placed outwardly upon it. The tip fits into any hole of a drain in a sink. The tip then aligns the gage, centering it upon the drain which leads to a centered application of the planar material upon the drain or nearby sink bowl. The gage has two surfaces, a top and an opposite bottom that has the tip joined thereto. Between the two surfaces and upon its perimeter, the gage has a wall with a slight outward flare with its wide portion towards the bottom. The flare centers the ring as a user places it upon the gage and moves it down to the drain. The user then removes the gage through the ring.
US09523182B2

A wheel loader is provided with an engine compartment, a urea water injection device, a second side plate, a guiding member, and a suction part. The second side plate has a first outdoor air intake port. The guiding member is configured to guide outdoor air sucked in through the first outdoor air intake port onto the urea water injection device. The suction part sucks air into the engine compartment. The urea water injection device is disposed within an air flow produced between the suction part and the guiding member.
US09523176B2

A method is provided for measuring the milling depth of a road milling machine, the machine being operative to mill a ground surface with a milling roller lowered to a milling depth to create a milling track, the machine including at least one side plate located to at least one side of the milling roller to engage an untreated ground surface, and the machine including a stripping plate operative to be lowered onto the milling track generated by the milling roller. The method includes measuring the milling depth of the milling track, the measuring including detecting a measurement value of a ground engaging sensor engaging the milling track.
US09523172B2

The present invention relates to novel polyvinyl alcohol non-woven films and fabrics which have been modified so as to have a breathable coalesced lower porosity surface polyvinyl alcohol layer attached to a fibrous polyvinyl alcohol layer by a transition layer. The fabrics are useful as clothing or wraps for inert articles.
US09523168B2

The present invention provides a method for producing a component for joining structures at intersection regions thereof, comprising the following steps: forming a first fiber having a meandering shape which includes a plurality of first loops; forming a second fibre having a meandering shape which includes a plurality of second loops; and swivelling a first loop portion of a respective first loop and a first loop portion of a respective second loop such that a respective first loop and a respective second loop engage with one another.
US09523160B2

Disclosed is a method of preparing an antimicrobial 3D-printing filament, comprising: providing a first mixture comprising a plastic resin and at least one antimicrobial agent selected from the group consisting of an inorganic antimicrobial agent, an organic antimicrobial agent, a metal antimicrobial agent, an ammonium salt antimicrobial agent, a guanidine antimicrobial agent, a copper compound antimicrobial agent, a sustained-release polymer antimicrobial agent, and a natural antimicrobial agent; providing a master batch by extruding the first mixture; and preparing an antimicrobial filament by excluding a second mixture containing the master batch and the plastic resin.
US09523159B2

Cross-linked fibers include first and second precursors, each possessing a core and at least one functional group known to have click reactivity when exposed to UV radiation. Mixtures of the first and second precursors are extruded to produce a filament and irradiated with UV light during the extrusion process.
US09523150B2

Provided is a substrate processing apparatus, including: a processing space configured to process a substrate: an exhaust buffer chamber which is provided so as to surround a lateral circumference of the processing space and into which a gas supplied into the processing space is flowed; and a conductance adjustment plate disposed to face a gas flow path between the processing space and the exhaust buffer chamber, wherein the conductance adjustment plate has R-shaped portion or a tapered inclined portion on an inner peripheral side edge facing the gas flow path from the processing space to the exhaust buffer chamber.
US09523139B2

A high-strength cold-rolled steel sheet excellent in ductility, work hardenability, and stretch flangeability, and having tensile strength of 780 MPa or more includes: a chemical composition containing, in mass percent, C: more than 0.020% to less than 0.30%, Si: more than 0.10% to 3.00% or less, Mn: more than 1.00% to 3.50% or less; and metallurgical structure whose main phase is a low-temperature transformation product, and whose secondary phase contains retained austenite. The retained austenite has a volume fraction relative to overall structure of more than 4.0% to less than 25.0% and an average grain size of less than 0.80 μm, and of the retained austenite, the number density of retained austenite grains whose grain size is 1.2 μm or more is 3.0×10−2 grains/μm2 or less.
US09523134B2

This high strength hot-rolled steel sheet includes: in terms of percent by mass, C: 0.05 to 0.12%; Si: 0.8 to 1.2%; Mn: 1.6 to 2.2%; Al: 0.30 to 0.6%; P: 0.05% or less; S: 0.005% or less; and N: 0.01% or less, with the remainder being Fe and unavoidable impurities, wherein a microstructure includes specific ranges (in area %) of ferrite phases as well as martensite phases, and a maximum concentration of Al detected by a glow discharge emission spectroscopic analysis is in a range of 0.75 mass % or less in a region from a surface of the steel sheet to a thickness of 500 nm after being acid-pickled.
US09523131B2

Dermatophytes which belong to one of the three genera Epidermophyton, Trichophyton and Microsporum are the main cause of fungal infections of skin, hair and nails. Traditional diagnostic procedures consist of microscopy and culture, but due to the slow growth rate of dermatophytes typically two to four weeks are needed before a final diagnosis is obtained. The present invention is a rapid DNA extraction method extracting nucleic acids from fungi (e.g. dermatophytes and other pathogenic fungi) which can be performed from directly on hair, nail or skin specimens from humans, from naturally or experimentally infected animals or from cultured fungal colonies for the use in PCR amplification and detection assays. The present invention also includes specific primer sets for detection of any dermatophyte and for species specific detection of Trichophyton rubrum and Epidermophyton floccosum by PCR and a kit for diagnosing fungal infections.
US09523123B2

Disclosed is a DNA detection device that detects a target DNA by detecting fluorescence output from sample droplets flowing through a flow path in a surface of a sensor chip, and that includes a fluorescence detector that detects fluorescence output from sample droplets flowing through the flow path, and a DNA detector that determines a type of fluorescent probe solution contained in each of the sample droplets based on a duration of the detected fluorescence and determines whether or not the sample droplet contains the target DNA based on whether intensity of the fluorescence is higher or lower than a threshold value.
US09523121B2

Provided herein are methods and compositions for performing PCR with primers with blocked 3′-ends that are unblocked when these primers anneal to the template. The multiplexed PCR can be used as real-time qPCR, for end-point detection or as enrichment method for next generation sequencing (NGS). Also described herein are methods and compositions to improve sensitivity of mutation-specific PCR when targeting closely-spaced mutations.
US09523119B2

The present invention relates to a method of distinguishing genotypes using PCR-PHFA including: a nucleic acid amplification step in which a mutation site-including region of a gene is amplified by a nucleic acid amplification reaction, thereby obtaining an amplification reaction solution; and a distinction step in which the amplification reaction solution obtained from the nucleic acid amplification step is mixed with a reference double-stranded nucleic acid having a specific genotype on the mutation site as well as being labeled with a labeling substance, and the mixture is subjected to a competitive strand displacement reaction, and the level of the occurrence of strand displacement is assessed so as to distinguish the identity; and the competitive strand displacement reaction is performed under a condition to suppress a polymerase extension reaction, and a genotype distinguishing kit for use in the distinct of genotypes by this method.
US09523116B2

Digital assay system, including methods and apparatus, for calculating a level of one or more targets. In an exemplary method, data for amplification of a plurality of targets including a first target may be collected from partitions. A level of the first target may be calculated from only a subset of the data that excludes partitions according to target content.
US09523115B2

The present invention relates to compositions and methods for preserving and extracting nucleic acids from saliva. The compositions include a chelating agent, a denaturing agent, buffers to maintain the pH of the composition within ranges desirable for DNA and/or RNA. The compositions may also include a reducing agent and/or antimicrobial agent. The invention extends to methods of using the compositions of the invention to preserve and isolate nucleic acids from saliva as well as to containers for the compositions of the invention.
US09523110B2

A container for culturing a test sample includes a molded monolithic single layer polymeric container body having an upwardly extending, visually transmissive wall with an inner surface and a wall thickness that is between about 0.2 mm and 10 mm. The container also has a thin gas barrier coating comprising silica on the inner surface of the sealed container body and an internal top coating on the gas barrier coating. The gas barrier and top coating are visually transmissive (after curing). The container includes a cap sealably attached to the container body. The sealed container has an oxygen transmission rate (OTR) after autoclaving and aging that is between about 0.0001 to about 0.04 (cc/package/day/atm).
US09523109B2

The invention provides a method for preparing a peptide for improving brain function, comprising hydrolyzing milk casein with an enzymatic catalyst comprising a protease to produce a hydrolysate comprising: (i) a peptide consisting of the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 1 or a variant thereof; (ii) a peptide consisting of the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 2 or a variant thereof; or (iii) a mixture of the peptides of (i) and (ii), wherein the production yield of each of the peptides is 2% or more, or the total production yield of the mixture is 10% or more. The invention also provides a food or drink or a pharmaceutical composition containing the hydrolysate.
US09523107B2

The invention is directed to immobilized transaminases and methods of making and using them.
US09523104B2

The present invention relates to processes and systems for the production of fermentative products such as ethanol and butanol. The present invention also provides methods for separating feed stream components for improved biomass processing productivity.
US09523098B2

Disclosed herein are methods and compositions for targeted modification of one or more endogenous plant malate dehydrogenase genes.
US09523087B2

The present disclosure relates to cellulase variants. In particular the present disclosure relates to cellulase variants having improved expression, activity and/or stability. Also described are nucleic acids encoding the cellulase variants, compositions comprising the cellulase variants, and methods of use thereof.
US09523085B2

The present invention provides mutants of DNA polymerases having an increased rate of incorporation of nucleotides into nucleic acids undergoing polymerization and having an enhanced resistance to inhibitors of DNA polymerase activity. The mutant polymerases are well suited for fast PCR applications, for PCR amplification of targets in samples that contain inhibitors of wild-type polymerases, and for fast PCR amplification of samples containing DNA polymerase inhibitors. In exemplary embodiments, the mutants are mutants of Taq DNA polymerase.
US09523081B2

A method for enhancing the therapeutic effect of a stem cell on autoimmune diseases, cardiovascular diseases, and/or hematological diseases is provided. The method comprises treating the stem cell with ligustilide, wherein the treatment is conducted in a culture medium of the stem cell. A method of stem cell treatment is also provided, comprising administering to a subject suffering from autoimmune diseases, cardiovascular diseases, and/or hematological diseases an effective amount of a stem cell or a combination of ligustilide and a stem cell, wherein the stem cell has been treated with ligustilide.
US09523075B2

Motile particles are sorted from non-motile particles in a microfluidic sorting device wherein a stream of sort fluid containing motile and non-motile particles is caused to flow adjacent a media stream in non-turbulent fashion through a sort channel, during which flow motile particles cross the interface between the adjacent flow streams, entering the media stream, and forming a motile particle-depleted sort stream. The sorting devices are easily and inexpensively fabricated and have numerous uses, in particular sorting of motile from non-motile sperm.
US09523072B2

A circuit for biological liquid including a bag having two films and a press. The press includes two shells that clamp the bag in a state in which pipes are formed between the films of the bag.
US09523069B2

The present invention relates to a photobioreactor for microalgae cultivation having a bubble circulation structure, which allows gas flowing into a cultivation space to generate a vortex and thus circulate microalgae, thereby improving cultivation efficiency of the microalgae.A photobioreactor for microalgae cultivation according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a cultivation panel major body having the cultivation space into which the microalgae are injected to be cultivated; a gas supply pipe provided at a lower portion of the cultivation panel major body to pass through the cultivation space in a transverse direction and thus discharge inflow gas; and at least one vortex forming partition extending in a transverse direction from an internal wall of the cultivation panel major body and formed to have an arc shape and thus cause a vortex to an ascending current of gas supplied through the gas supply pipe.
US09523063B2

A candle segment comprising a portion of a layered candle. Said candle segment comprises a candle wick, a top surface, a bottom surface, and a height. Said candle segment comprises a one or more protruding studs and a one or more stud cavities. Said one or more protruding studs and said one or more stud cavities are on opposite sides of said candle segment at said top surface and said bottom surface.
US09523058B2

The present invention provides a mixed ester of pentaerythritol or a mixed polyhydric alcohol and carboxylic acids; the mixed polyhydric alcohol consisting of pentaerythritol and dipentaerythritol represented by formula (I), and the carboxylic acids comprising 2-ethylhexanoic acid and 2-propylheptanoic acid. The mixed ester exhibits excellent properties (e.g., miscibility with a refrigerant that comprises fluoropropene, low-temperature fluidity, and lubricity) in a well-balanced manner while having the viscosity within the range required for a refrigerant oil, and may be used in an industrial lubricant (e.g., refrigerant oil) and the like.
US09523053B2

A fuel gasification system including a gasification furnace including a fluidized bed formed by fluidizing reactant gas for gasifying fuel charged into gasification gas and flammable solid content, a combustion furnace for combustion of the flammable solid content into which the flammable solid content produced in the furnace is introduced together with bed material and that includes a fluidized bed formed by fluidizing reactant gas, a material separator such as hot cyclone that separates bed material from exhaust gas introduced from the combustion furnace, the separated bed material being fed through a downcomer to the gasification furnace, and a tar decomposing mechanism that heats the gasification gas produced in the furnace to decompose tar contained in the gasification gas.
US09523047B2

Embodiments of apparatuses and methods for treating mercaptans are provided. In one example, an apparatus comprises a vessel capable of receiving a feed stream that comprises liquid hydrocarbons and the mercaptans. The vessel comprises an extraction section that is capable of extracting a portion of the mercaptans from the feed stream to form a mercaptan-reduced, liquid hydrocarbon-containing stream. A catalyst bed section is capable of contacting the mercaptan-reduced, liquid hydrocarbon-containing stream with a catalyst in the presence of oxygen (O2) and caustic at reaction conditions effective to oxidize a remaining portion of the mercaptans and form a sweetened liquid hydrocarbon-containing stream.
US09523044B2

The invention relates to hydrocarbon streams containing impurities such as carbon oxysulfides, to processes for upgrading the hydrocarbons by removing at least a portion of the impurities therefrom, to equipment useful in such processes, and to the use of upgraded hydrocarbons for, e.g., chemical manufacturing.
US09523039B2

A method for upgrading coal and other carbonaceous fuels includes subjecting the carbonaceous fuel to a pyrolyzing process, thereby forming upgraded carbonaceous fuel and a flow of lean fuel gases. Auxiliary fuel is combusted in an auxiliary fuel combustor to produce auxiliary fuel combustion gases, and the lean fuel gases are heated with the auxiliary fuel combustion gases. The heated lean fuel gases are combusted in a lean fuel combustor, thereby producing a gas stream of products of combustion, and at least a portion of the gas stream of products of combustion are directed to the pyrolyzer.
US09523031B2

Provided is an organic electroluminescence device having high luminous efficiency, high heat resistance and an extremely long lifetime. The organic electroluminescence device of the present invention includes an organic thin film layer composed of one or more layers containing at least a light emitting layer is interposed between a cathode and an anode. The light emitting layer includes a compound containing a condensed ring and a luminescent metal complex capable of emitting light having a red-based color. It is preferable that the compound containing a condensed ring includes a host material, while the luminescent metal complex capable of emitting light having a red-based color includes a phosphorescent dopant.
US09523028B2

Aqueous and substantially anhydrous fluids having particularly low thermal conductivities and variable densities are disclosed. The fluids include: one or more organic and/or inorganic salts and at least one aprotic polar organic solvent, a mixture of aprotic and protic polar organic solvents, and/or a polar organic solvent having both protic and aprotic polar functional group linkages. The fluids optionally include one or more viscosifying agents and are free of cross-linking agents. Methods for formulating and using the fluids are also disclosed.
US09523025B2

A raw elastomeric composition in free-flowing pellet form is described, which comprises a raw elastomer with molecular weight from 50,000 to 400,000 Da, and an anti-block agent comprising inorganic fillers, capable of forming emulsions in water. Likewise, a process for obtaining said raw elastomeric compositions in free-flowing pellet form, comprising the steps of: a) polymerizing at least one monomer through solution polymerization in order to obtain elastomer crumb; b) forming an aqueous suspension of the elastomer crumbs; c) dewatering the aqueous suspension; d) adding an anti-block agent comprising inorganic fillers capable of forming emulsions in water; e) drying the dewatered suspension; and f) pelletizing the elastomer to form a raw elastomeric composition in free-flowing pellets form. The raw elastomeric composition in free-flowing pellets form thus obtained can be used as an adhesive composition, in asphalt modification and in asphalt emulsions.
US09523020B2

A flattening film forming composition for a hard disk that can prevent a magnetic material from migrating to the nonmagnetic layer, including a photopolymerizable coating material containing at least one polymer selected from a homopolymer that has a divinyl aromatic compound-derived unit structure and a copolymer having the unit structure or containing a mixture of the polymer and a photopolymerizable compound. The photopolymerizable compound may include an acrylate group, a methacrylate group, or a vinyl group. The polymer may be a copolymer further containing an addition polymerizable compound as a component to be copolymerized. A method for producing a hard disk, including: a first step of forming projections and recesses on a magnetic body; a second step of coating the projections and recesses with the flattening film forming composition; and a third step of flattening the coating by means of etching and exposing a surface of the magnetic body.
US09523017B2

The present invention provides a mono coating film type waterborne coating composition comprising halogen free polyolefin resin, acryl polyol, acryl emulsion, and a solvent. According to the present invention, adhesion to a polyolefin substrate is excellent, and physical/chemical properties may be maintained with a single coating film instead of the currently used dual coating films, by a halogen free waterborne composition with physical/chemical properties similar to or more excellent than the existing oil coating or halogen-containing coating composition. Since these effects may be sufficiently obtained with a single coating film, consumption of coating may be reduced about 30˜40% compared to the existing method, and particularly, cost reduction may be expected through decrease in equipment required for dual coating film, energy for drying coating film, attractive force of coating, productivity increase, and the like.
US09523016B2

The present invention aims to provide an aqueous dispersion capable of forming a coating film that has excellent adhesion to a substrate and excellent water resistance. The aqueous dispersion of the present invention includes fluorine-containing composite polymer particles of a polymer (A) with a repeating unit of vinylidene fluoride and a polymer (B) with a repeating unit of at least one acrylic monomer selected from the group consisting of acrylic acid, acrylic acid esters, methacrylic acid, and methacrylic acid esters, the dispersion having an acid value of at least 3 mgKOH/g.
US09523008B2

Ink and coating compositions, printing and coating processes, and printed and coated substrates utilizing a polymerizable composition comprising one or more di-activated vinyl compounds, with the proviso that said a di-activated vinyl compound is not a cyanoacrylate. Exemplary compositions include methylene malonates, methylene β-ketoesters, methylene β-diketones, dialkyl disubstituted vinyls, and dihaloalkyl disubstituted vinyls. Exemplary compositions are polymerizable at ambient temperatures.
US09523003B2

An asphalt binder includes asphalt and an asphalt binder modifier, which includes bio-oil. The asphalt binder can include a carboxyl additive. The asphalt can optionally include polymer-modified asphalt. An asphalt material includes mineral aggregate, an asphalt material binder including asphalt, and an asphalt binder modifier including bio-oil. A method for making the asphalt binder is disclosed. The asphalt material includes asphalt pavement and roofing shingles. The asphalt binder can be emulsified with water and a surfactant for use as a weatherproofing sealant or as an adhesive.
US09523000B2

The present invention provides a polyester film that can be suitably used in the applications requiring excellent transparency and slipping property, for example, such as a film member for a transparent electrode used in touch panels, etc., and a member for molding films. The present invention relates to a polyester film comprising non-heat-resistant particles supported thereon, in which after supporting the non-heat-resistant particles on at least one surface of an unstretched polyester film, the unstretched polyester film is stretched in at least one direction thereof, and a process for producing a polyester film comprising the steps of blowing non-heat-resistant particles onto at least one surface of an unstretched polyester film to support the non-heat-resistant particles thereon, or applying a coating solution comprising the non-heat-resistant particles onto at least one surface of the unstretched polyester film to support the non-heat-resistant particles thereon; and then stretching the unstretched polyester film in at least one direction thereof.
US09522994B2

Disclosed herein are a vinyl copolymer and a thermoplastic resin composition including the same. The vinyl copolymer is prepared by copolymerization of (A) an aromatic vinyl monomer, (B) a vinyl cyanide monomer, and (C) a dimaleimide monomer.
US09522989B2

The invention relates to a solvent system for fluoropolymer comprising from 50 to 99.9% by weight of a composition (A) comprising dimethyl sulphoxide, and from 0.1 to 50% by weight of a composition (B) comprising at least one ketone.The invention also relates to the solutions comprising the said solvent system and the said fluoropolymer, and to their uses in the manufacture of films, membranes and coatings.
US09522985B2

There is provided a polyester elastomer foam having a micro and uniform cell structure. The polyester elastomer foam is formed by allowing a polyester elastomer composition containing a polyester elastomer and a surface-treated inorganic substance (except hydroxides) to expand. A residue on a 166 mesh sieve in the surface-treated inorganic substance (except hydroxides) is preferably not more than 0.01%.
US09522965B2

Methods of producing bio-fuel and other high-value products from oleaginous biomass (e.g. algae biomass) are provided. The two-step methods use a first step of subcritical water extraction of the biomass at low temperatures to produce polysaccharides and other high value products of interest, followed by, ii) hydrothermal liquefaction of remaining solid biomass at high temperatures to produce bio-oil.
US09522957B2

Toll Like Receptor 3 (TLR3) antibody antagonists, polynucleotides encoding TLR3 antibody antagonists or fragments thereof, and methods of making and using the foregoing are disclosed.
US09522956B2

The invention relates to the combined use of anti-EGFR antibodies and anti-Her2 antibodies for the treatment of cancer, especially suitable for cancer expressing high levels of the EGFR type and low levels of HER2. The invention refers in particular monoclonal antibody “trastuzumab” (HERCEPTIN®) directed against the HER2 receptors the efficacy of which can be significantly increased in vivo when combined with monoclonal antibody “matuzumab” (hmAB 425, EMD 72000) directed against EGF receptors. The combination treatment is suitable for patients suffering from cancer having said receptor profile, preferably pancreatic cancer.
US09522933B2

The Invention relates to an ex vivo method of diagnosing or predicting a hereditary spastic paraplegias (HSP), in a subject, which method comprises detecting a mutation in the ZFYVE26 gene or protein (spastizin), wherein said mutation is indicative of a hereditary spastic paraplegias (HSP).
US09522924B1

The present invention relates to the preparation of stable pyridone disulphide derivatives having general formula (I) and its stereoisomers, which are useful in the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders. Pyridone disulphide derivatives (I) wherein, R1, R2 and R3 are independently alkyl, alkoxy, halogen, halogenated alkoxy, halogenated alkyl, hydrogen and could be the same or different and X is CH or N. R1 is methyl, methoxy, fluorine, trifluoromethyl, difluoromethoxy and hydrogen, R2 is methyl, methoxy and hydrogen, and R3 is methyl and hydrogen.
US09522920B2

The present invention relates to compounds useful as inhibitors of bromodomain-containing proteins. The invention also provides pharmaceutically acceptable compositions comprising compounds of the present invention and methods of using said compositions in the treatment of various disorders.
US09522917B2

Methods to improve hematopoiesis and increase white blood cell counts in subjects and patients using pyrimidine-based inhibitors of Bruton's tyrosine kinase (Btk) are disclosed.
US09522914B2

The present invention provides agents for treating or preventing diseases such as mood disorder, anxiety disorder, schizophrenia, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's chorea, eating disorder, hypertension, gastrointestinal disease, drug addiction, epilepsy, cerebral infarction, cerebral ischemia, cerebral edema, head injury, inflammation, immune-related disease, alopecia, and so forth. Specifically, the invention provides azole derivatives represented by general formula (I), or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof that have an antagonistic action against the arginine-vasopressin (AVP) V1b receptor:
US09522913B2

Compounds of the formula (I), and the agrochemically acceptable salts and N-oxides of those compounds, including all stereoisomers and tautomeric forms, and wherein the substituents are as defined in claim 1, are useful for controlling animal pests and can be prepared in a manner known per se.
US09522910B2

The present invention relates to the treatment of oncological, chronic inflammatory and similar diseases with the aid of new families of chemical compounds having improved efficiency with regard to the inhibition of Abl kinase and mutant forms thereof, as well as other therapeutically significant kinases. It describes protein kinase inhibitors in the form of compounds of general formula (I) and compounds of general formula (II), or a tautomer, an individual isomer, a mixture of isomers, a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, a solvate or a hydrate thereof.
US09522905B2

The present invention provides compounds of formula (I), their use as PARP inhibitors as well as pharmaceutical compositions comprising said compounds of formula (I) wherein R1, R2, R3, L, X, Y and Z have defined meanings.
US09522904B2

Process for the preparation of triazinyl-substituted oxindoles of formula (3) and salts thereof by reacting an oxindole (1) with a triazine (2) in the presence of a carbonate, a hydroxide, a phosphate or a mixture of two or more of the aforementioned compounds, and also the compounds of formula (3) and salts thereof (3″) and the use of both for producing crop protection agents.
US09522901B2

Compositions and methods are disclosed in embodiments relating to induction of cell death such as in cancer cells. Compounds and related methods for synthesis and use thereof, including the use of compounds in therapy for the treatment of cancer and selective induction of apoptosis in cells are disclosed. Compounds are disclosed in connection with modification of procaspases such as procaspase-3. In embodiments, compositions are capable of activation of procaspase-3.
US09522900B2

3-(3-chloro-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)pyridine is prepared by cyclizing 3-hydrazinopyridine-.dihydrochloride with a dialkyl maleate to provide an alkyl 5-oxo-2-(pyridin-3-yl)pyrazolidine-3-carboxylate, by chlorinating to provide an alkyl 3-chloro-1-(pyridin-3-yl)-4,5-dihydro-1H-pyrazole-5-carboxylate, by oxidizing to provide an alkyl 3-chloro-1-(pyridin-3-yl)-1H-pyrazole-5-carboxylate, by converting the ester to the carboxylic acid by hydrolysis to provide 3-chloro-1 -(pyridin-3-yl)-1H-pyrazole-5-carboxylic acid hydrochloride, and by removing the carboxylic acid by a decarboxylation reaction.
US09522899B2

The present invention discloses methods for synthesizing 3-(substituted dihydroisoindolinone-2-yl)-2,6-dioxopiperidine and intermediates thereof, namely, the synthesis of compounds of the Formula (I), with each substitutional group defined in the patent specification. Owing to the advantages of high productivity, little influence to the environment and material accessibility, the methods of the present invention is suitable for industrial production.
US09522895B2

A triphenylene derivative useful for the production of organic light emitting diodes.
US09522888B2

Disclosed are compounds of Formulas (I), (II), (III), (IV), and (V): and/or a salt thereof, wherein R1 is —OH or —OP(O)(OH)2, and X1, X2, X3, R2, R2a, Ra, Rb, and Rc are defined herein. Also disclosed are methods of using such compounds as selective agonists for G protein-coupled receptor S1P1, and pharmaceutical compositions comprising such compounds. These compounds are useful in treating, preventing, or slowing the progression of diseases or disorders in a variety of therapeutic areas, such as autoimmune diseases and vascular disease.
US09522884B2

The invention relates to the compounds of formula I or its pharmaceutical acceptable salts, as well as polymorphs, solvates, enantiomers, stereoisomers and hydrates thereof. The pharmaceutical compositions comprising an effective amount of compounds of formula I, and methods for treating or preventing metabolic disorders may be formulated for oral, buccal, rectal, topical, transdermal, transmucosal, intravenous, parenteral administration, syrup, or injection. Such compositions may be also used to the treatment of diabetes, lipid peroxidation, hypertriglyceridemia, metabolic disorders, free radical generated due to reactive oxygen and carbonyl groups, ionizing radiation, advanced glycation end products, kidney disease, renal complications and kidney stone disease.
US09522883B2

The invention provides compounds of Formula (I) for inhibiting gh cosidases, prodrugs of the compounds, and pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds or prodrugs of the compounds. The invention also provides method of treating diseases and disorders related to deficiency or over-expression of O-gh coprotein 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-β-D-glucopyranosidase (O-GlcNAcase), accumulation or deficiency of 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-β-D-glucopyranoside (O-GlcNAc).
US09522881B2

Inhibitors of protein tyrosine phosphatases are disclosed. The inhibitors include hydroxyindole carboxylic acids having a linker and an amine scaffold that are potent inhibitors of Src homology 2-domain containing protein tyrosine phosphatase-2.
US09522878B2

The present invention is directed to a method of treating an inflammatory skin disease or disorder, such as dermatitis, psoriasis, acne, or rosacea. The method comprises administering to the subject 4-methylsulfonyl-2-butenenitrile, in an amount effective to reduce or eliminate the symptoms of the inflammatory skin disease or disorder. Topical administration and oral administration are preferred routes of administration.
US09522865B2

A system for, and method of, recovering salt from fluid stream in a recycle loop of a flash separator has a desanding hydrocyclone located in the hot recycle loop of the flash separator; a first solids fluidization device located at the bottom end of the flash separator's brine column; a second desanding hydrocyclone arranged to receive a salt slurry stream created by the first solids fluidization device; and an accumulator located downstream of the second desanding hydrocyclone and having a second solids fluidization device located at its bottom end. Each solids fluidization device causes a motive fluid to exit the device in a swirling motion to fluidize the salt components contained in the resident fluid. The overflow from the second desanding hydrocyclone is the motive fluid for the brine column and a produced water, condensate water, or seawater stream is the motive fluid for the accumulator.
US09522853B2

A process for the conversion of an alcohol mixture to make propylene may include introducing into a reactor a stream that includes the alcohol mixture. The alcohol mixture may include 20 to 100 weight percent isobutanol. The process may include contacting the stream with a single catalyst at a temperature above 450° C. in the reactor at conditions effective to dehydrate the isobutanol, forming C4+ olefins, and to catalytically crack the C4+ olefins. The single catalyst may be an acid catalyst adapted to cause both the dehydration and the catalytic cracking. The process may include recovering from the reactor an effluent that includes ethylene, propylene, water, and various hydrocarbons. The process may include fractionating the effluent to produce an ethylene stream, a propylene stream, a fraction of hydrocarbons having 4 carbon atoms or more, and water.
US09522851B2

A method of producing a fertilizer composition containing micronized sulphur wherein elemental sulphur is dissolved in anhydrous or hydrous ammonia to form an ammonia/sulphur solution and the ammonia/sulphur solution is reacted with an acidic component having at least one plant growth constituent to simultaneously form a sulphur composition comprising a sulphur compound and micronized sulphur. The thus formed fertilizer composition is dried and can be formed into various shapes such as pellets, prills, etc.
US09522849B2

A ceramic sintered body according to the present invention comprises: silicon carbide and aluminum nitride, wherein a weight ratio of the aluminum nitride relative to a total weight ratio of the silicon carbide and the aluminum nitride is greater than 10% and 97% or smaller, and a bulk density is greater than 3.18 g/cm3.
US09522839B2

Provided is an optical fiber base material manufacturing method that includes, while rotating a starting member formed by fusing both ends of a core rod to dummy rods on an axis of the starting member, moving the starting member and burners back and forth relative to each other and depositing glass microparticles on a surface of the starting member. This method also includes setting two or more axes as back and forth movement axes allowing for back and forth movement relative to the starting member; providing a burner facing the starting member on each of the axes; causing each burner to traverse the starting member to an end of the starting member; and changing a position where at least two burners pass by each other during the traversing movement, in a longitudinal direction of the starting member.
US09522810B2

One or more overhead cranes are provided. The overhead cranes include a first horizontal rail having a first end and a second end, a second horizontal rail having a third end and a fourth end, a first post connected to the first end of the first horizontal rail, a second post connected to the second end of the first horizontal rail, a third post connected to the third end of the second horizontal rail, a fourth post connected to the fourth end of the second horizontal rail and a cross member extending from the first horizontal rail to the second horizontal rail. The cross member includes a center span section, a first side arm and a second side arm. In some embodiments, the center span section is trapezoidialy shaped. In some embodiments, the overhead crane includes a vacuum system.
US09522799B2

Provided is a transport device including plural rollers that are provided on a transporting path on which a sheet is transported in a transport direction and is subjected to a process at a process position, and transport the sheet which comes into contact with surfaces of the rollers in the transport direction by rotation of the rollers, among the plural rollers, first rollers that are provided closest to the process position, among the plural rollers, second rollers that are provided closest to the first rollers on an opposite side with respect to the process position, and a driving unit that drives the first rollers and the second rollers to rotate so that a speed of a surface of the first roller is faster than a speed of a surface of the second roller at least while the sheet passes through the process position.
US09522796B2

A scanning device and an image forming apparatus are provided. The scanning device includes document feeding rollers to convey a document along a document feeding path, a scanning member provided on the document feeding path to read images from the document, a cover to open and close a part of the document feeding path, a knob to manually rotate the document feeding rollers, and a clutch unit to selectively connect at least one of the document feeding rollers to the knob in correspondence with opening and closing operations of the cover.
US09522795B2

A medium loading device that is arranged adjacent to an image forming apparatus that includes a medium supply roller that carries a medium, includes a medium guide part that has a guide surface along which the medium is guided toward the medium supply roller, and is arranged on an upstream side of the medium supply roller in a medium carrying direction; a medium end contact part that is arranged on an upstream side of the medium guide part in the medium carrying direction, is positioned below the guide surface of the medium guide part in the vertical direction, and is configured to contact an medium upstream end of the medium so that a portion of the medium is upwardly supported when the medium upstream end of the medium contacts the medium end contact part.
US09522776B2

There is provided a technique that achieves the function of connecting a fluid container with a fluid consuming device by using a less number of components. A fluid container detachably connectable with a fluid consuming device comprises a fluid container body configured to contain a fluid; a fluid supply structure located at one end portion of the fluid container body; a container-side electrical connection structure including a contact element that comes into contact with a device-side electrical connection structure provided in the fluid consuming device; and a linkage member including a linkage part configured to link the fluid supply structure with the container-side electrical connection structure and a handle part that is grasped.
US09522774B2

A blade dispenser for housing a plurality of unshelled blades, dispensing the blades one at a time therefrom and receiving used blades and storing the used blades therein. The dispenser includes a housing that has ribs forming a track, a dispensing slot at a first end of the housing, a pusher and a spring that aid in dispensing blades through the slot art the first end of the housing and a closure element that includes a slot connected to a second end of the housing to receive used blades.
US09522773B2

The present disclosure relates to a blow-molded, rigid collapsible liner that can be suitable particularly for smaller storage and dispensing systems. The rigid collapsible liner may be a stand-alone liner, e.g., used without an outer container, and may be dispensed from a fixed pressure dispensing can. Folds in the rigid collapsible liner may be substantially eliminated, thereby substantially reducing or eliminating the problems associated with pinholes, weld tears, and overflow. The present disclosure also relates to flexible gusseted or non-gusseted liners, which is scalable in size and may be used for storage of up to 200 L or more. The flexible gusseted liner may be foldable, such that the liner can be introduced into a dispensing can. The liner can be made of thicker materials, substantially reducing or eliminating the problems associated pinholes, and may include more robust welds, substantially reducing or eliminating the problems associated weld tears.
US09522769B2

Push-pull closure for a drink container comprising a body element which comprises a through-opening and a fastening device, with which it may be sealingly and releasably connected to an opening of the drink container, a mouthpiece which may be axially displaceably inserted into the through-opening of the body element and which comprises at least one locking portion which may engage behind the through-opening of the body element, and a locking element which may be releasably attached to the inner face of the body element facing the drink container, the locking element being arranged so that the locking portion of the mouthpiece may not adopt a position in which it does not engage behind the through-opening of the body element, when the mouthpiece is inserted into the through-opening and the locking element is attached to the inner face of the body element.
US09522764B2

A packaging apparatus is provided for packaging one or more deposition masks. The apparatus comprises a base comprising a first surface and a first recess; a cover disposed over the base and comprising a second surface facing the first surface and a second recess; a first film placed over the first surface to cover the first recess; a second film placed over the second surface to cover the second recess; and a plurality of insertion sheets interposed between the first film and the second film. The one or more deposition masks comprise a first mask interposed between first and second insertion sheets, the first mask having a width defining a width direction. Each of the first and second insertion sheets comprises a plurality of openings, each extending along the width direction when viewed in a viewing direction perpendicular to the first surface.
US09522760B2

The present invention provides a top frame made from a thermoset foam material. The top frame includes a pair of substantially parallel sides and a pair of substantially parallel ends connected to the sides to form a generally rectangular frame structure. The frame structure has an inner layer and outer surface defining a thickness. The thermoset foam material varies in density along the frame structure thickness such that the density of the thermoset foam material is greatest near the frame structure outer surface to form a hard outer shell.
US09522754B2

A processing device for processing at least one stack of bags including a plurality of bags, wherein at least one stacking device is provided on which the stack of bags can be arranged in a base position, wherein the bags in the stack of bags have a bag length and a bag width, including providing at least one centering device having at least two centering units disposed opposite one another and disposed so that a driving device can move them relative to one another, towards one another and away from one another, and that the centering unit provided on a first side is at least temporarily coupled with a return side of at least one continuous belt and wherein the centering unit provided on a second side is at least temporarily coupled with the carrying side of at least one continuous belt.
US09522753B2

A tray (100) for accommodating a coiled medical device, such as a catheter assembly (700), includes a first compartment (101), a second compartment (102), and a third compartment (103). The catheter assembly (700) and devices associated with a catheterization procedure, such as syringes (701,702) containing sterile water and lubricating jelly and a specimen container (703) can be disposed within the tray. Printed instructions (1001) can be included with the tray (100). One or more layers of wrap material (2200) can be folded about the tray (100) to enclose the tray (100) and other items, such as an additional layer of wrap material (2701), packaged liquid hand sanitizer (2401), and packaged gloves (2402). When a health care services provider (3101) unfolds the wrap material, the same can be used to create a sterile field beneath a patient (3201).
US09522741B2

There is provided an aircraft tipping alarm system having a nose landing gear (NLG) shock strut containing hydraulic fluid and having an aperture. The system further has an elongated pressure chamber assembly configured to engage to the aperture. The elongated pressure chamber assembly has an elongated pressure chamber containing hydraulic fluid and having a pressure sensor device, a first check valve configured to restrict hydraulic fluid flow only into the NLG shock strut, a second check valve configured to restrict hydraulic fluid flow only into the elongated pressure chamber, and a reduced diameter breakable neck section. A potential aircraft tipping back position is indicated when a reduction of pressure of the hydraulic fluid in the NLG shock strut, sensed via the pressure sensor device, is greater than or equal to a pressure reduction threshold.
US09522734B2

A mounting system for objects in a transportation system includes a profile rail, at least one locking device with a base body that is bringable in surface contact with a supporting surface of the profile rail and at least one locking body which is interlockable with the profile rail, as well as an actuating device with an actuating element that extends parallel to the profile rail and a clamping body that is connected to the actuating element. The clamping body is realized in such a way that it exerts a compressive force, which results in the locking body being interlocked, upon a component of the locking device during a motion of the actuating element in a first direction parallel to the profile rail and releases the interlock during a motion of the actuating element in a second, opposite direction.
US09522715B1

A deployment and recovery assembly for use on a vessel that includes a tiltable ramp section mountable to a vessel to tilt into and out of the water. The ramp section is configured to support the craft. A capture and release assembly that includes a rotatable tire and wheel assembly is mounted to the ramp section to tilt therewith and is disposed on the ramp section so as to engage a hull of the craft. The capture and release assembly further includes a one-way clutch assembly coupled to the tire and wheel assembly allowing free rotation of the tire and wheel assembly in a first direction and retarding or inhibiting rotation in a second direction opposite the first direction.
US09522712B2

The present invention relates to a coupling method for a separable bicycle, in which the front wheel and the rear wheel are easily separated from and coupled to each other such that the front and rear wheels are firmly coupled to each other even if the separable bicycle is operated for a long period of time.
US09522711B2

A powered vehicle has a rear frame assembly and a front frame assembly that are pivotally attached to one another, and can be pivoted from a normal fully-extended operating position to a folded position in which the frame assemblies are positioned substantially adjacent to one another, effectively reducing overall vehicle length to about half. One or more latch members lock the front and rear frame assemblies in the fully-extended, normal operating position, and they may be used to lock the frame assemblies in the folded position. The seat support structure may be integrated with the front and rear frame assemblies such that pivoting the frame assemblies toward the folded position collapses the seat support. The steering tiller may also be collapsible toward the front frame assembly. The rear wheels may be mounted on a transaxle that is pivotally mounted on the rear frame assembly. An extendable handle may be provided to assist in the folding operation and to tow the collapsed vehicle on its anti-tip rollers.
US09522710B2

A transport and load cart in the form of a kick scooter is compact, has a low dead weight and is designed with dimensions that are suitable for transport by train or automobile, and which nonetheless ensures safe transport of bulky and heavy goods together with a person, while improving the handling and reducing the expenditure of force. The longer side of the loading platform is disposed transversely to the travel direction and in a rearwardly inclined and/or displaceable manner relative thereto, and the receiving compartment has a front-side slot for the rechargeable battery.
US09522700B2

A driving support apparatus has a controller that performs a lane keeping assist that controls a vehicle such that the lateral position of the vehicle is a target lateral position in a running lane, recognizes a lane change operation by the driver for a lane change of the vehicle from the running lane to an adjacent lane, and, when it is determined that steering torque in a lane change direction by the driver has changed from a predetermined threshold or more to less than the predetermined threshold after the lane change operation is recognized and before it is determined that a previously set lane change operation termination condition has been met, sets the lateral position of the vehicle at the time of the determination as the target lateral position.
US09522697B2

An electrohydraulic power steering system includes a sensor for detecting steering information, a motor pump unit generating a hydraulic pressure for assisting steering power depending on a driver's steering wheel operation, and a hydraulic cylinder driven with the hydraulic pressure supplied from the motor pump unit to assist the steering power. A control method of the electrohydraulic power steering system includes acquiring steering angle information depending on the driver's steering operation and information on a steering torque applied through a steering wheel at the time of operating the steering wheel; determining a target steering torque depending on the acquired steering angle; and variably controlling a motor rotational speed of the motor pump unit so that the steering torque acquired through the sensor satisfies the target steering torque.
US09522696B2

The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for controlling electric power steering. In particular, the present invention provides a power steering control method that includes: a breakdown detection step of detecting whether a torque sensor has broken down; an information reception step of receiving steering angle information and vehicle speed information in the case in which the torque sensor has broken down; a compensation target value calculation step of calculating a self-aligning torque, and a damping force, an inertial force, and a frictional force of an electric power steering apparatus by using one or more of the steering angle information and the vehicle speed information; and a current control step of calculating a steering assist force based on the compensation target value and controlling the supply of a motor control current that corresponds to the steering assist force, and an apparatus for the same.
US09522694B2

A bushing assembly for a steering column having a fixed jacket and a telescope jacket is provided having a set screw configured for insertion into the fixed jacket, and a radial telescope bushing co-acting with the set screw and having a post and a curved bushing portion configured to pre-load the radial telescope bushing against the telescope jacket to provide a lash-free interface between the fixed jacket and the telescope jacket.
US09522689B2

A diagram creating device has a database and a processing device. The processing device includes a unit which displays names of track sections, names of stations in the track sections, and station line which displays the distances from each station, in parallel to the time axis in the diagram, a unit which displays junction buttons associated with other track sections, near the station line associated with the junction stations belonging to the other track sections in the diagram, and a unit which, when the junction button is pushed, reads the station order data and the junction data based on the track section code of the junction destination, switches part of the station line related to the track section displayed in the diagram for a junction station as a junction point, to the station line subsequent to the junction station belonging to the another track section, and displays the station line.
US09522688B2

An on-board device is loaded in a moving vehicle traveling on a track. The on-board device determines whether or not a traveling route has been secured, based on station related data indicating data related to a branch on the traveling route of the moving vehicle and acquired from a station interface device of a station to which the branch belongs, and different moving vehicle related data indicating data related to a different moving vehicle acquired from the different moving vehicle on the traveling route. The on-board device determines the traveling of the moving vehicle on the secured traveling route based on the different moving vehicle related data.
US09522685B2

Methods and systems relate to establishing a communication link with a wayside device, determining whether or not to at least one of update or configure the wayside device in dependence upon at least one update parameter, and when it is determined to update or configure the wayside device, updating or configuring the wayside device from a remote location.
US09522683B2

A method for influencing gravitational discharge of material from a railcar gate assembly is arranged in material receiving relation relative to a hopper on the railcar. The gate assembly defines a discharge opening and includes a slide gate for controlling the discharge of material from the hopper car. A first portion of the gate assembly is operably disposed above the slide gate and a second portion of the gate assembly is disposed below the slide gate. An adapter is releasably suspended below the discharge opening for influencing the discharge of material from the second portion of the gate assembly.
US09522679B2

A vehicle controller includes an hybrid vehicle (HV) ECU, a motor-generator (MG) ECU, a brake ECU, a first communication line that enables one-to-one connection between the HV ECU and the MG ECU, and a second communication line that enables connection among plural ECUs including the HV ECU and the brake ECU. The MG ECU calculates an operation torque of first and second MGs. The MG ECU is communicable with the brake ECU via the second communication line. In addition, the controller includes a microcomputer that serves as a travel state determiner for determining whether a travel state of a hybrid vehicle is a transition state in which a drive wheel alternatively slips and grips. Based on a determination result of the microcomputer, the controller switches to the first communication line in a normal state and to the second communication line in the transition state.
US09522675B1

The present invention provides a parking control system including: a parking mode selection unit that supports a first-stage selection and a second-stage selection, wherein a parallel parking mode or a perpendicular parking mode is selected in the first-stage selection, and a head-in parking mode or a reverse parking mode is selected in the second-stage selection in cases where the perpendicular parking mode is selected in the first-stage selection; a sensor unit comprising a plurality of sensors mounted on one or more of the front, rear, and sides of a vehicle; a parking space search unit that searches for a parking space based on a value detected by the sensor unit; a path setting unit that sets a parking path along which the vehicle is parked in the parking space, which is discovered by the parking space search unit, according to the parking mode selected by the parking mode selection unit; and a parking controller that controls the vehicle to move along the parking path set by the path setting unit.
US09522673B2

A transmission control method for a belt type mild hybrid vehicle includes collecting, by an integrated control unit, shifting information, setting, by the integrated control unit, a target torque of a motor generator in accordance with the shifting information, and controlling, by a motor control unit, the motor generator. In addition, a transmission control apparatus for a belt type mild hybrid vehicle which performs the transmission control method includes a motor generator that is interworked with an engine and a belt, an integrated control unit that collects shifting information and sets a target torque of the motor generator in accordance with the shifting information, and a motor control unit that controls the motor generator in accordance with the target torque set by the integrated control unit.
US09522671B2

A method can be used to control a hybrid vehicle and includes the following steps: (a) receiving, via a control module, an input; (b) determining, via the control module, whether the hybrid vehicle is traveling on a highway based, at least in part, on a vehicle speed and an output torque request; (c) commanding, via the control module, the hybrid powertrain to switch from a charge-depletion mode to a blended mode if the hybrid vehicle is traveling on a highway; and (d) commanding, via the control module, the hybrid powertrain to use energy from the energy storage device via the electric motor-generator so as to maintain a substantially constant target state of charge (SOC) discharge rate.
US09522666B2

A lid member has an external shape inscribing a quadrilateral formed by two sets of two facing sides, and has: a pair of first cut-out sections configured by cutting out, in the same size, a pair of diagonal corners from among the two sets of diagonal corners of the quadrilateral; and a pair of second cut-out sections configured by cutting out the other diagonal corners in the same size. The outer shape of the lid member is formed in a point-symmetric shape relative to the center of an opening in a peripheral wall section. The first cut-out sections have a larger surface area than the second cut-out sections, and one out of the pair of first cut-out sections is configured so as to be arranged in the vehicle progression direction and at the bottom in the vertical direction, when a base body is mounted to a vehicle.
US09522664B2

An electric brake actuator provided with a main reservoir attached to a vehicle frame, a first reservoir attached to an input device and coupled to the main reservoir via a pipe, and a second reservoir coupled to the main reservoir via another pipe and directly mounted to a motor cylinder, wherein the second reservoir is disposed below the main reservoir in the vertical up and down direction.
US09522663B2

A hydraulic-pressure generator including: primary and secondary pistons displaced corresponding to displacement of a brake pedal; a first pressure chamber communicating with a first hollow in the primary piston and generating in brake fluid hydraulic pressure corresponding to the displacement of the primary piston; a second pressure chamber communicating with a second hollow in the secondary piston and generating in the brake fluid hydraulic pressure corresponding to the displacement of the secondary piston; one or more first communication openings formed in a peripheral wall surrounding the first hollow; and second communication openings formed in a peripheral wall surrounding the second hollow. The flow rate of the brake fluid through the one or more first communication openings is different from the flow rate of the brake fluid through the second communication openings.
US09522662B2

A cylinder device, which is provided with: a substrate having a cylinder hole and a reservoir union port; a piston which is inserted into the cylinder hole; a regulation member which regulates the rearward limit of the piston; a reservoir having a liquid supply part; and a seal member which is for the reservoir and which is externally fitted to the liquid supply part. Therein: the substrate comprises a mounting hole and a first communication hole which open to the reservoir union port and the cylinder hole; the regulation member is inserted into the mounting hole (11h); and the liquid supply part has a cut-out section and a tip section arranged so as to face the regulation member. This structure enables the number of components to be reduced, reduces the size of the substrate, and also prevents air from collecting inside the reservoir union port.
US09522660B2

Disclosed herein is a high pressure accumulator of a brake system capable of attenuating pressure pulsation of oil discharged from a pump. The present invention is directed to a high pressure accumulator a brake system in which a damping chamber disposed to attenuate pressure pulsation is optionally partitioned into a plurality of layers to change characteristics of a flow of brake oil so that pressure pulsation can be efficiently reduced. Therefore, it is an aspect of the present invention to provide a high pressure accumulator of a brake system in which an orifice part is integrally formed so that a processing time for installing an orifice separately and an assembling time therefor can be reduced.
US09522658B2

A control system for a vehicle includes a powertrain comprising a prime mover and a driveline. The control system selectively controls the driveline to assume a first state in which a transmission of the driveline is substantially fully connected to the prime mover and a second state in which when the vehicle is stationary the transmission is at least partially disconnected or decoupled from the prime mover to reduce a torque loading on the prime mover. The control system controls the driveline to assume the second state when the vehicle is held stationary by a brake in response to actuation of a driver operable brake control. Upon release of the brake control, the control system verifies that a first portion of a powertrain of the vehicle is rotating at a speed exceeding a prescribed threshold and commands the driveline to assume the first state before permitting release of the brake.
US09522651B2

An operational omission notification method for performing operational omission notification to a terminal unit of a user of a vehicle when the user forgets to operate vehicle equipment after the vehicle has been parked, the method including: detecting an operational omission of equipment installed on the vehicle after the vehicle has been parked; determining whether the vehicle is parked in an object region classified into a predetermined category; and notifying the terminal unit when it is determined that the vehicle is not parked within the object region.
US09522650B1

A device capable of detecting motion, specifically extremely small amounts of motion (micro motion), this device also provides real driving safety and protection from carjacking and theft. it also offers protection from accidents and false alarms. it triggers high power LEDS and a chirping sound during an occasional driver's mistake to warn nearby drivers and pedestrians that a vehicle is fast approaching and/or turning and hard braking, everyone knows that real safety can be achieved only if everybody around is aware of the dangerous situation, it navigates drivers to develop diligent driving habits by detecting risky vehicle operation, in which case it shuts down only the safety driving protection temporarily until safe driving is restored, this device rewards safe drivers by protecting them. If the vehicle is carjacked or has been stolen then the system triggers an alarm and a sign call 911 during unauthorized driving, but if the vehicle stops then the alarm stops, if the vehicle starts moving again the alarm starts again. when the vehicle is parked and a intruder tries to enter the vehicle the system triggers a warning no one can ignore. all of the above in one device the new micro motion warning device with false alarm prevention system.
US09522648B2

A front seat airbag system includes: a driver's seat airbag which is inflated and deployed in front of a driver's seat by being supplied with gas; a passenger seat airbag which is inflated and deployed in front of a passenger seat by being supplied with gas; and a center airbag which is accommodated in an instrument panel together with the passenger seat airbag and when supplied with gas, inflated and deployed on a vehicle central side of the passenger seat airbag in a vehicle width direction such that a rear end side thereof in the vehicle longitudinal direction is configured to separate in the vehicle width direction from the rear end side of the passenger seat airbag in the vehicle longitudinal direction.
US09522640B2

A wire harness includes a plurality of electrical lines to be collectively inserted into a pipe. Each of the electrical lines is a single-core line including a single-core conductor that is a single metal rod, and an insulating sheathing that envelops an outer circumference of the single-core conductor. Facing surfaces shaped so as to face each other across an approximately uniform gap in a facing direction when inserted into the pipe are formed on the plurality of electrical lines.
US09522632B2

A method for providing information about a failure in a virtual engine sound system (VESS) unit for a vehicle includes sending a VESS unit failure message to a cluster, and displaying the failure message on the cluster. In the unit failure information providing method, VESS unit failure information may be provided by the use of a navigation unit or electric/electronic subassemblies.
US09522631B2

A vehicle includes a body having a door and a door latch, a display screen, front and rear seats, a seat belt, buckle and door latch sensors, and a controller. The latch sensors determine a latch state of the seat belt buckle and door latch. The controller determines the respective latch states of the seat belt buckle and the door latch via the respective latch sensors. The controller also displays a first icon/message via the display screen in response to an ignition-off event, with the icon or message prompting a driver to check the rear seat for the presence of a passenger or object. A second control action is executed by the controller in addition to the first control action in response to the latch state of the seat belt buckle and/or door latch being in the latched or closed latch state for less than a calibrated amount of time.
US09522616B2

An automotive folding seat device includes a seat support platform that is mounted on a floor, a cushion storage mechanism that is capable of moving a seat cushion from an in-use position to a storage position, a reclining mechanism that is capable of selectively holding a seat back at a raised position and a dropped-down position, and a coupling mechanism that provides a link between the reclining mechanism and the cushion storage mechanism, wherein the floor has formed thereon an elevated surface and a low surface, which is lower than the elevated surface, the seat support platform is mounted on the elevated surface, and the cushion storage mechanism is arranged so as to be capable of moving the seat cushion from the in-use position, which is higher than the elevated surface, to the storage position, which is close to the low surface.
US09522612B2

A system for the control of the machine torque of a vehicle (1) includes a first drive wheel (2′) associated to a first motor (3′) and a second drive wheel (2″) associated to a second motor (3″), a steering member (4) and an accelerator member (6). The control system includes a user-interface device (13); means (7) for detecting the steering angle (δ) associated to a steering member (4); means (8) for detecting the throttle level (θ) of the accelerator member (6); means (9) for detecting the yaw rate of the vehicle ({dot over (ψ)}); means (10) for detecting the speed of the vehicle (v); and a drive module (11).
US09522608B2

Multi-dimensional battery networks are presented that are intrinsically superior to the standard battery networks that are currently being used in electric vehicle applications. The higher dimensional battery networks are more stable against failures in individual batteries. The networks can be implemented using Li-ion batteries and enhance the lifetime of battery networks, which is critically important, for example in automotive applications.
US09522601B2

An ECU determines whether or not first operation for limiting an upper limit value of discharge power of a power storage device for supplying electric power to a rotating electric machine for generating a driving force of a vehicle has been received, by setting a first threshold value of an operation duration of an operation device required to determine the reception of the first operation to be greater than a second threshold value of operation duration of the operation device required to determine the reception of second operation for canceling the limitation of the upper limit value.
US09522600B2

A vehicle includes an engine, transmission, auxiliary and high-voltage electrical loads, a drivetrain, and an electrical system. The electrical system, characterized by an absence of a DC-DC converter, includes a full-bridge active rectifier/inverter, a semi-active auxiliary rectifier, an MGU connected to the engine via the drivetrain, and a controller. The controller executes a first operating mode in which the bridge rectifier is disabled and the MGU operates as a motor to restart or assist the engine, and a second operating mode in which the MGU is a generator, with the rectifier/inverter powering the HV-ESS and HV electrical load. The auxiliary rectifier provides an auxiliary DC output voltage to the LV-ESS and auxiliary electrical load. Switches may be positioned between a DC bus connection point and the HV-ESS and LV-ESS, with a switch closed and another opened in the first operating mode, and vice versa in the second operating mode.
US09522595B2

The present teachings relate generally to a small remote vehicle having rotatable flippers and a weight of less than about 10 pounds and that can climb a conventional-sized stairs. The present teachings also relate to a small remote vehicle can be thrown or dropped fifteen feet onto a hard/inelastic surface without incurring structural damage that may impede its mission. The present teachings further relate to a small remote vehicle having a weight of less than about 10 pounds and a power source supporting missions of at least 6 hours.
US09522589B2

A vehicular heat pump system may have two inside heat exchangers within an HVAC module, and may operate in mild cooling and mild heating modes. In mild cooling mode, a first isolation valve and a second isolation valve are fully open and closed, respectively, to direct the refrigerant flow to the first inside heat exchanger only. In mild heating mode, the first isolation valve and the second isolation valve are fully closed and fully open, respectively, to direct the refrigerant flow to the second inside heat exchanger only. In both modes, a first metering device is partially open to control the flow and expansion of the refrigerant, and a second metering device is fully closed to prevent the refrigerant from flowing between the inside heat exchangers. This staged operation of the heat pump system may reduce the risk of flash fog as well as reduce discharge air temperature spreads.
US09522581B2

A drawbar for a towing vehicle includes a longitudinal support and an attachment which is removably fixed to the longitudinal support. The longitudinal support and the attachment form a towing-eye receiving area, and the longitudinal support and the attachment each have a receiving opening for a coupling pin. The attachment has at least one tilting protrusion which is arranged in a recess of the longitudinal support in a self-locking manner relative to a removal force in the direction of the central line of the coupling pin.
US09522578B1

A tire sensor locating system for auto-location of a tire-based air pressure sensor at any tire location on a vehicle includes a hub acceleration sensor mounted to make a hub vertical acceleration measurement at a preset and known location on the vehicle for a respective one of the wheel hubs and a chassis acceleration sensor mounted to a chassis of the vehicle to make a chassis vertical acceleration measurement for the vehicle chassis. An estimator model is employed to derive a tire vertical stiffness estimation from the hub vertical acceleration measurements and the chassis vertical acceleration measurement. A look-up table correlates tire vertical stiffness estimation against measured tire air pressure and from the look-up table an assigned location of the tire sensor is made through a correlation between the tire measured air pressure and the tire vertical stiffness estimation.
US09522571B2

A tire comprises a rubber composition based on at least one diene elastomer, a reinforcing filler predominantly comprising silica, a crosslinking system, and a hydroxyalkylpiperazine of formula (I): in which R1 represents a linear or branched alkyl group comprising from 1 to 18 carbon atoms, R2 represents a linear or branched alkylene group comprising from 1 to 18 carbon atoms, it being understood that R1 and R2 can bear one or more additional hydroxyl groups. The rubber composition is essentially devoid of guanidine derivative.
US09522568B2

The invention is a paint can rim protector for protecting the rim of a paint can from infiltration of paint during painting or during the pouring of paint. The invention includes a rim engagement member for attaching the paint rim protector to the rim of a paint can. The rim engagement member may be in the form of a circular tab which engages a groove of the paint can rim or it may be an outer wall which snaps around an outer edge of a paint can rim. The invention includes a top flat surface which is inclined downwards towards the center of the paint can and which cantilevers over the inner edge of the rim of the paint can to form a scrape edge. The invention also includes a spout attached to the topside of the top surface.
US09522565B2

Temporary graphic films that may be applied to rough, outdoor surfaces such as concrete or asphalt pavement are provided. The temporary graphic films are durable, yet easily removed and may include a fracturable material that permits fluid flow to reduce slip and fall situations.
US09522543B2

An image processing method includes: forming an image for density unevenness measurement on a recording medium in a single-pass method, using an inkjet head in which nozzles are disposed in a main scanning direction; acquiring a density measurement value of each set gradation value from an image for density unevenness measurement before drying; converting the acquired density measurement value into a conversion density measurement value corresponding to a post-dry density measurement value, using a density measurement value conversion value set for each region in the main scanning direction; and deriving a new unevenness correction value using this conversion density measurement value.
US09522540B2

A method for measuring the volume of liquid, such as ink or solvent, remaining in a container, such as a replacement cartridge for a continuous ink jet printer, uses a reservoir enclosing an internal space having a variable volume for storage. The reservoir is adapted to provide a reduction in the pressure of the internal space, the reduction substantially monotonically increasing in magnitude as liquid is drawn into the printer, such that the volume of liquid remaining may be calculated from knowledge of the minimum withdrawal pressure required to draw further liquid from the reservoir into the printer. Containers for use with the method have a liquid dispensing port adapted to allow liquid to be dispensed when a withdrawal pressure at the exterior of the port is less than the pressure of the internal space and adapted to prevent the ingress of air into the internal space of the reservoir as liquid is dispensed.
US09522537B2

The liquid droplet discharge apparatus (ink jet printer) includes a head having a nozzle row in which nozzles capable of discharging liquid droplets onto paper as a medium are aligned, and a carriage unit as a movement portion which moves the head relatively to the paper, the ink jet printer discharging the liquid droplets onto the paper through the nozzles by causing the head to perform main scanning a plurality of number of times by the carriage unit. In the ink jet printer, when a region from a nozzle at one end to a first nozzle located at a position away from the nozzle at the one end by a first predetermined distance is set to a first region, a region from a nozzle at the other end at an opposite side to the one end to a second nozzle located at a position away from the nozzle at the other end by a second predetermined distance is set to a second region, and a region between the first region and the second region is set to a third region on the nozzle row, a thinned-out portion is present on each of raster lines formed by nozzles in the third region.
US09522531B2

A liquid discharge apparatus includes a piezoelectric element in which a drive signal is applied and which is displaced to eject a liquid; a zeroth wire of a zeroth potential; a first wire of a first potential that is higher than the zeroth potential; a second wire of a second potential that is higher than the first potential; and a connection path selecting section that electrically connects one end of the piezoelectric element to the zeroth wire, the first wire, or the second wire in response to a voltage of a source drive signal that controls the voltage of the drive signal and a hold voltage of the piezoelectric element. Here, a first potential difference from the zeroth potential to the first potential is different from a second potential difference from the first potential to the second potential.
US09522528B2

There is provided a liquid discharging apparatus including: a low voltage system circuit block including a modulation portion which generates a modulation signal pulse-modulated from a source signal; a transistor which generates an amplification modulation signal amplified from the modulation signal; a first high voltage system circuit block which receives the signal from the low voltage system circuit block and performs a switching operation; a second high voltage system circuit block which does not perform the switching operation; a low pass filter which demodulates the amplification modulation signal and generates a driving signal; and a piezoelectric element which is displaced as the driving signal is applied, in which the second high voltage system circuit block is disposed between the low voltage system circuit block and the first high voltage system circuit block.
US09522524B2

An anilox roll with low surface energy zone includes a cylinder having a curved contact surface, an ink transfer zone formed on a first portion of the curved contact surface, and a low surface energy zone formed on a second portion of the curved contact surface. The ink transfer zone includes a plurality of cells configured to transfer ink. The low surface energy zone includes a hydrophobic surface with a contact angle of at least 75 degrees and a surface roughness of less than 100 micrometers.
US09522520B2

A process and a laminating device for producing a microfluidic device are proposed, wherein a film is pressed onto a carrier under the effect of heat and thereby attached to it. During the attachment the film is lifted by the blowing in of gas on the carrier side to prevent it adhering in a non-attachment region and is vented on the remote side. The device is compressed between a holder and a thermode of the laminating device during the lamination. An elastic intermediate layer is arranged in each case between the device and the holder and between the device and the thermode, for evening out the contact pressure and obtaining uniform attachment of the film to the carrier.
US09522514B2

Generally discussed herein are systems and apparatuses that can include a base with one or more recesses therein. The disclosure also includes techniques of making and using the systems and apparatuses. According to an example a technique of making a releasable core panel can include providing a releasable core, the releasable core including a first conductive foil integrally coupled with a base at a first side of the base and a first side of the conductive foil, the first conductive foil situated in a first recess in the first side of the base. The technique can include releasably coupling a second conductive foil to a second side of the first conductive foil through a temporary adhesive layer integrally coupled to a first side of the second conductive foil, the second side of the first conductive foil opposite the first side of the first conductive foil.
US09522513B2

A display panel is provided. The display panel comprises a first substrate, a second substrate and a sealant. The first substrate has a display area. The second substrate is opposite to the first substrate. The sealant is disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate, and surrounds and encloses the display area. The sealant comprises a plurality of node portions and a plurality of strip portions. The maximum width of the node portion is larger than the width of the strip portion. The node portions include a first node portion. The first node portion and two strip portions adjacent thereto form a first angle facing the display area. The first angle is larger than 90 degree.
US09522493B2

A molded body 1 includes a rib part 3 standing on a back surface 2b opposite to a design surface 2a of a main body 2 of the molded body 1. A reduced thickness part 4 is formed on the back surface 2b of the main body 2, the ratio D/T is 0.975 to 1.07 where D is the diameter of a circle that passes through base ends 3b of both side faces 3a of the rib part 3 and is in contact with the design surface 2a of the main body 2 positioned between the base ends 3b, and T is the thickness of the main body 2 at an outer side of the reduced thickness part 4, and t<1.3(T−n) is satisfied where t is the thickness of the rib part 3, and n is the thickness of the reduced thickness part 4.
US09522484B2

To improve the work environment by preventing a larger amount of a powder compounding agent from being discarded as power dust and by returning the powder compounding agent into a kneading tank by capturing said powder compounding agent by employing a simple means in closed pressure type kneader. Also to bring the compound quality closer to the design quality by drastically increasing the valuable collection rate. A recovery device for collecting an ejected powder compounding agent is installed on a closed pressure type kneader for kneading a kneading material along with a powder compounding agent in a kneading tank by rotating a kneading rotor. In the recovery device, a tubular air bag capable of expanding and contracting is connected to the side surface of the surrounding wall of the kneading tank with a ventilation chute between the air bag and the surrounding wall, the surrounding wall surrounding the periphery of a pressurized lid rising/lowering path. A branching duct capable of connecting to and being disconnected from the outside is connected to the top of the air bag, and a filter tube for filtering and capturing the powder compounding agent carried by a gaseous body flowing from the side of the kneading tank is disposed in a suspended manner within the air bag. As a consequence, it is possible to return the powder compounding agent captured by means of the filter tube to the kneading tank by means of the pressurized air flow accumulated in the air bag.
US09522476B2

Woodworking machines and safety methods for use with those machines are disclosed. The machines include a detection system adapted to detect one or more dangerous conditions and a reaction system associated with the detection system. The reaction system can include an explosive to trigger the system, and also can be configured to retract a cutting tool at least partially away from a cutting region upon detection of a dangerous condition by the detection system.
US09522461B2

An impact tool (1) includes a motor (3); a hammer (42) having a rotational axis extending in a first direction, the hammer (42) being rotatable in a rotational direction including a forward direction and a reverse direction opposite to the forward direction by the motor (3) and being movable in the first direction and a second direction opposite to the first direction; an anvil (52) disposed at the first direction side of the hammer (42) and strikable by the hammer (42) in the forward direction, the hammer (42) that has been struck the anvil (52) being moved in the second direction to come free from the anvil (52); and a fixing member (45A, 46A) that selectively allows the hammer (42) to move in the second direction or prevents the hammer (42) from moving in the second direction.
US09522454B2

A method of forming a patterned lapping plate by providing a working tool having a pattern comprising a plurality of raised teeth, each of the raised teeth having a base, at least one side wall, and a terminal end, and patterning the lapping plate with the tool to provide a working surface having an inverse pattern of the tool surface in the working surface of the lapping plate, the patterning process plastically deforming the working surface of the lapping plate.
US09522453B2

A polishing apparatus which can continue stable operation of the apparatus without generating torsional vibration in a rotary joint and without generating an abnormal sound at an engagement part between a cooling water pipe and a polishing table is disclosed. The polishing apparatus includes a rotary joint fixed to a rotating part of the polishing table or a rotating part of the top ring to supply a fluid into the polishing table or the top ring and discharge the fluid from the polishing table or the top ring, and a rotation-prevention mechanism which connects the rotary joint with an apparatus frame to prevent the rotary joint from being rotated. The rotation-prevention mechanism includes a link mechanism having at least one spherical plain bearing.
US09522449B2

A method for creating a customized apparatus for holding a door closed comprises comparing a physical door hydraulic piston to two or more diagrammatic configurations to determine which of two or more computer aided design templates to use in fabrication. A straight arm of the physical door hydraulic piston is measured to produce a measurement M1. A user measures from the outside edge of the straight arm to an outside edge of an angled arm of the hydraulic piston to produce a measurement M2. A user measures a width of a pivot point of the hydraulic piston to produce a measurement M3. A user measures the collective height of the straight arm and the angled arm to produce a measurement M4. A user selects one of the templates from the two or more templates based on the comparing step. A CAD operator enters measurements M1, M2, M3 and M4 into the selected template to produce fabrication specifications. Based on the fabrication specifications, a customized apparatus is fabricated for holding a door closed.
US09522442B2

A method is for cutting machining of a workpiece using a laser beam. The method includes (a) directing the focused laser beam onto a surface of the workpiece for a formation of a kerf; and (b) removing a material exclusively by ablation. The laser beam has a power density in a focal point of at least 1*107 W/cm2. The laser beam has a feed speed taking account of an absorption capability of the material to be removed of at least 150 m/min up to a maximum of 1200 m/min.
US09522434B2

A wire electric discharge machine includes: a wire electrode supporting device that holds one end portion of a wire electrode; and a wire electrode forwarding device that has a forwarding device supplying a fluid to forward the wire electrode from a wire electrode guiding section to a wire electrode collecting section, a rotating body positioned on a path between the forwarding device and the wire electrode collecting section and diverting the forwarding direction of the wire electrode, and a rotation restraining device restraining rotation of the rotating body rotated by the fluid supplied from the forwarding device.
US09522432B2

The claimed subject matter provides a cutting head for oscillating tools including a concave or recessed cutting edge. The cutting edge can be a recessed curve, an angular recess, or a combination of the two. The cutting edge can include one or more of serrations or cutting grit. The cutting head can conform to a variety of work piece geometries and cradle the work piece during cutting to prevent slipping and provide faster cuts by applying a greater proportion of the blade to the work piece at once and retaining the work piece between sides of the recess.
US09522424B2

An automotive component including a composite casting is provided. The composite casting includes a steel member and an end cap fastened to an end portion of the steel member. A cast coupling member is cast about the end portion of the steel member including the end cap, thereby positively and rigidly securing the cast coupling member to the steel member. The automotive component can comprise an engine cradle, a control arm, an instrument panel support structure, a bumper assembly, or a twist axle. The cast coupling member is typically formed by casting-in-place aluminum about the end cap and the end portion of the steel member. The steel member is typically a tubular member, and the end cap typically includes a flange designed to provide a mechanical interlock surface with the cast coupling member. For example, the flange can have a polygonal shape, an outwardly extending member, or notches.
US09522420B2

An incremental forming method includes pressing a rod-shaped tool into a workpiece and stretching the workpiece little by little while moving the rod-shaped tool so that a percentage of decrease in plate thickness of the workpiece after forming with respect to plate thickness of the workpiece before forming is made to be within a range of 35% to 40%, inclusive.
US09522416B2

A cable sorter for a plurality of cables is provided and includes a cable receiving device and a cable assembly device. The cable receiving device includes a plurality of cable receiving grooves, while the cable assembly device includes a cable feeding passageway. The cable feeding passageway is positioned to correspond with the plurality of cable receiving grooves.
US09522413B2

A method for applying a multilayer coating comprising a basecoat and a clearcoat is disclosed. The basecoat is a curable aqueous composition comprising (1) polymeric particles prepared from ethylenically unsaturated compounds including a multi-ethylenically unsaturated monomer and a keto or aldo-functional monomer, and (2) a polyhydrazide. A hydrophobic polyester is present in the aqueous composition to improve its humidity resistance.
US09522412B2

Apparatus for painting hulls of boats includes at least an anthropomorphic robot having paint dispensing elements, at least a supporting body which defines a chamber for containing the robot and which includes at least an opening for applying paint on a reference surface, handling elements of the body along at least a direction of moving close to/away from the surface, air suction elements to form a suction stream substantially along the entire surrounding edge of the opening, according to a preset suctionable air flow, command and control elements operatively connected to the handling elements to control movement of the body along the moving direction, sensor elements associated with the body to detect the distance of the surrounding edge from the reference surface and operatively connected to the command and control elements, the latter being programmed to adjust the distance of the surrounding edge of the opening from the reference surface.
US09522409B2

An aperture plate is formed from a palladium nickel alloy comprising about 89% palladium and about 11% nickel. There is a generally fine substantially equiaxed grain microstructure throughout the thickness of the aperture plate. The average grain width (W) is in the range of from 0.2 μm to 5.0 μm, in some cases from 0.2 μm to 2.0 μm. Because the grain structure is equiaxed (L/W=1) the grain length (L) is the same as the grain width. The improved aperture plate extends the life of nebulizers, eliminates the risk of premature and unpredictable failure of a nebulizer in service, eliminates the risk of product returns from hospitals and patients, and eliminates the possible risk of fragments of the aperture plate breaking free from the nebulizer.
US09522408B2

The present invention relates to an edger adapted to be used with a spray wand to clean an edge of a hard surface in contact with a lawn. The edger includes a single piece plate that extends vertically from the hard surface. The single piece plate having a short side forming a first angle with a large side, a first hole formed at the larger side, a wheel secured to the plate, a second hole formed on the short side, and a coupler. The spray wand is adapted to be connected to the second end of the coupler. In a working position, the single piece plate engages the vertical side of the edge and slides through a channel formed between the lawn and the vertical side of the edge as the wheel rolls on top of the hard surface.
US09522399B2

A food processor includes a bowl with a removable lid. Food items are advanced into the bowl through a feed tube formed in the lid where they are cut by a cutting assembly. The cutting assembly is positionable between a plurality of cutting positions to produce cut food items of varying thicknesses. The food processor includes an adjustment assembly operable to move the cutting assembly between the plurality of cutting positions. The adjustment assembly includes a user-operated control device that is secured to the cutting assembly. The user-operated control device extends through a slot defined in the removable lid such that an upper end of the user-operated control device is positioned outside of the processing chamber.
US09522398B2

System for performing biological analysis comprising: a cartridge having a deformable chamber suitable for containing a liquid to be analyzed; a heater having a heating face arranged to heat the liquid contained in the deformable chamber; characterized in that the heating face of the heater is moveable from a first position to at least a second position, different from the first position, to allow an increase of volume of said deformable chamber in order to compensate an increase of pressure in the deformable chamber during the heating of said liquid by said heater.
US09522397B2

Devices, systems, and methods for detecting molecules of interest within a collected sample are described herein. In certain embodiments, self-contained sample analysis systems are disclosed, which include a reusable reader component, a disposable cartridge component, and a disposable sample collection component. In some embodiments, the reader component communicates with a remote computing device for the digital transmission of test protocols and test results. In various disclosed embodiments, the systems, components, and methods are configured to identify the presence, absence, and/or quantity of particular nucleic acids, proteins, or other analytes of interest, for example, in order to test for the presence of one or more pathogens or contaminants in a sample.
US09522396B2

The invention discloses an apparatus and method for automatic detection of pathogens within a sample. The apparatus and method are especially useful for high-throughput and/or low-cost detection of parasites with minimal need for trained personnel. The invention entails automated microscopic data acquisition, and performing image processing of images captured from a sample using classification algorithms. Visual classification features of structures are extracted from the image and compared to visual classification features associated with known pathogens. A determination is reached whether a pathogen is present in the sample; and if present, the pathogen may be identified to a pathogen species. Diagnosis is rapid and does not require medically trained personnel.
US09522393B2

A catalyst composition for hydrogenation including (A) to (D), in which a mass ratio (D)/(A) is 0.01 to 2.00. (A): a titanocene compound represented by following formula (1), (wherein R5 and R6 are selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, a hydrocarbon group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms, an aryloxy group, an alkoxy group, a halogen group, and a carbonyl group, and R1 and R2 are selected from hydrogen and a hydrocarbon group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms) (B): a compound containing an element selected from Li, Na, K, Mg, Zn, Al, and Ca, (C): an unsaturated polymer having a fraction of an olefinic unsaturated double bond content of side chains based on a total olefinic unsaturated double bond content of 0.25 to 1.0, and (D): a polar compound.
US09522387B2

In one embodiment, a system includes a nanoporous gold structure and a plurality of oxide particles deposited on the nanoporous gold structure; the oxide particles are characterized by a crystalline phase. In another embodiment, a method includes depositing oxide nanoparticles on a nanoporous gold support to form an active structure and functionalizing the deposited oxide nanoparticles.
US09522385B2

The object of the present invention is to provide a novel exhaust gas purifying catalyst having excellent NOx purification performance. The object can be achieved by an exhaust gas purifying catalyst comprising: a substrate; and a catalyst layer disposed on the substrate which comprises a first carrier, and platinum and a first palladium supported on the first carrier; in which the weight ratio of the platinum to the first palladium is 3:1 to 8:1.
US09522381B2

Method to obtain methylene malonate and related monomers following a bis(hydroxymethyl) malonate pathway. A bis(hydroxymethyl) malonate intermediary is subsequently reacted (i.e., subjected to thermolysis) to provide a methylene malonate monomer species. A source of formaldehyde (e.g., formalin) is provided in the presence of a basic catalyst (e.g., calcium hydroxide), to which a malonate (e.g., diethyl malonate) is added under suitable reaction conditions to obtain the desired intermediary (e.g., dialkyl bis(hydroxymethyl) malonate). The intermediary is reacted (i.e., subjected to thermolysis) under suitable conditions in the presence of a suitable catalyst (e.g., a zeolite) to obtain a methylene malonate monomer. In an exemplary embodiment, the thermolysis reaction includes the addition of the bis(hydroxymethyl) malonate intermediary onto a heated catalyst. The reaction product is collected and purified. The disclosed methods may be performed in a continuous operation. Discrete steps may be performed by using modular units within a plant.
US09522378B2

This disclosure relates to a method and a system of producing nanoparticles and nanoparticle matrices of thermolabile, biocompatible matrix materials, like lipids and biopolymers with controlled properties. A prototype pulse-heat aerosol system is described for single-step production of free, thermolabile nanoparticles with sufficient control over size, morphology and crystallinity with controlled-release properties, for possible therapeutic, cosmetic or diagnostic use. Nanoparticles of the range 50 to 500 nm are obtained and are found suitable for controlled drugs delivery.
US09522375B2

Distillate cracks to propylene more readily than VGO. Additionally, less branched hydrocarbons crack to propylene more readily than more branched hydrocarbons. Oligomerization to diesel range oligomers followed by catalytic cracking with less branched oligomers can provide more propylene.
US09522372B2

A method of preparing a spray dried catalyst by combining spray dried catalyst particles with wax so the spray dried catalyst particles are coated with wax, yielding wax coated catalyst particles, and shaping the wax coated catalyst to provide shaped wax coated catalyst. A method of activating Fischer-Tropsch catalyst particles containing oxides by contacting the catalyst particles with a reducing gas in an activation vessel to produce an activated catalyst, wherein contacting is performed in the absence of a liquid medium under activation conditions. A system for activating a Fischer-Tropsch catalyst containing an activation reactor configured to introduce an activation gas to a fixed or fluidized bed of the Fischer-Tropsch catalyst in the absence of a liquid medium and at least one separation device configured to separate a gas stream comprising entrained catalyst fines having an average particle size below a desired cutoff size from the activation reactor.
US09522368B2

The invention relates to a double cartridge (1), a mixer (3) and a combination consisting of a double cartridge having a mixer. The cartridge has a guiding channel (14b) that is formed between protrusions (14, 14a; 1a). The mixer (3) has at least one guiding rib (13) to guide the mixer (3) in the double cartridge (1).
US09522363B2

Membrane elements that use multiple membrane leaves may have a limited total active membrane area due to an increased diameter at the ends of the element. Membrane leaves may comprise a permeate carrier positioned between one or more membrane sheets. Adhesive may be used to seal one or more edges of the membrane leaf. The membrane sheets, permeate carrier and the adhesive contribute to the thickness of the edges of the membrane leaf and the diameter at the ends of the element. A reduced thickness of the edges of the permeate carrier may reduce the diameter at the ends of an element. Another permeate carrier sheet may also be used that is distanced from at least one edge of the membrane sheet so the permeate carrier sheet does not contribute towards the increased diameter at the ends of the element.
US09522358B2

The present disclosure relates to a polymer material comprising mesopores extending between melamine-formaldehyde co-polymer nano-particles and wherein micropores extend within the co-polymer nano-particles, methods of producing the same and uses thereof.
US09522357B2

Fiber structures and methods are described that incorporate a body of a micron fiber modified by the attachment of discrete length, crimped nano-fibers. Numerous of these modified fiber structures can be assembled into air filter media. Further augmentations of the modified fibers and media can be implemented to improve filtration characteristics.
US09522355B2

A filter unit comprising a filter bag for removing particles from an air or gas flow, wherein the filter unit is arranged to receive at least one filter pocket and the filter bag comprises an opening portion and an end portion opposite said opening portion. The filter unit further comprises a frame arranged at a periphery of the opening portion, and a support structure arranged at the periphery of the end portion for stretching an area of the end portion. The frame and the support structure act to stretch the filter bag into a substantially parallelepiped shape such that the filter unit is arranged to provide a free passage for the at least one filter pocket into and out of said filter bag. Furthermore, the filter unit is arranged to fold between the frame and the support structure into a folded state.
US09522349B2

A method for processing a product is disclosed. The method includes providing a separator having a rotatable centrifugal drum and a plate assembly arranged in the drum. The product is supplied into the drum. One or more of a solids phase and at least two liquid phases are separated from the product. One or more of the at least two liquid phases and the solids phase is discharged out of the drum. The supplying of the product occurs in one of a continuous and a discontinuous cyclic volume stream performed at a constant cyclic frequency where the constant cyclic frequency has a period duration which is dependent on one or more of the parameters of an inner and outer radius of a plate, an inflow stream in an intermediate space between the plate and an adjacent plate, a plate angle, and a distance of the plate to the adjacent plate.
US09522346B2

Embodiments of the invention are directed to a sulfur trap comprising an inlet, a first chamber, a divider, a second chamber, an outlet, and a float assembly. The float assembly may have many different configurations, but generally comprises a float and plug, is configured to float within liquid sulfur, and is operatively coupled to a seal seat in the divider for sealing and unsealing the first chamber from the second chamber. Generally, only liquid sulfur is allowed to pass from the first chamber into the second chamber. However, the sulfur trap may be configured to allow for pressure relief, such that during an overpressure event the plug and seal seat disengage and allow the liquid-gas mixture to flow into the second chamber to prevent damage within the system. In some embodiments a filter and/or the flow of liquid sulfur is directed to collect debris from the liquid sulfur.
US09522340B1

The toy rocket includes inner and outer sleeve members with the inner sleeve member fitting into the outer sleeve in a slidable airtight relationship. An end assembly extends from a distal end of the inner sleeve member, including a launch tube at the distal end thereof. An external elongated member is supported by the end assembly and has holding elements at opposing ends thereof. A stretchable cord member extends from one holding member to an end piece of the outer sleeve member then to the other holding member, wherein rearward movement and then release of the outer sleeve member pushes air through the launch tube launching the toy rocket into the air.
US09522336B2

A game method and a game system to perform the method and embodied as a computer, the method including configuring a level-based league for teams of users, performing a league game between teams included in the level-based league at predetermined time intervals regardless of whether the users connect to the game system, providing runtime broadcasting information about the league game to a terminal of a user in response to a request for observing the league game from the user that connects to the game system over a network, during a period in which the league game is ongoing, and calculating and managing a progress result of the league game.
US09522329B2

A gaming system is provided with a monitor (3) for displaying and outputting a gaming screen (50), a touch panel (5) superposed upon the monitor (3), and an external storage device (20) for storing sequence data (28) in which operational periods of the touch panel (5) have been described. In addition, the gaming system displays on the monitor (3) a gaming area (52) whereon two reference units (55A and 55B) disposed apart from each other and a specific reference unit (55T) disposed in the vicinity of the reference units are set. Also, an object (60) for instructing operations for each of the reference units (55A, 55B, and 55T) is displayed while being caused to move in the gaming area (52), and the path of movement of a specific object (60S) heading toward the specific reference unit (55T) is restricted to a fixed path.
US09522316B2

A modular, instrumented rehabilitation table and method of rehabilitation are disclosed. The table top can have a low friction top, a high friction bottom, a hollow section and no legs. An electronic controller is embedded in the hollow section of the table top. A first tilt sensor is embedded in the hollow section of the table top so as to sense tilt on a first axis. A second tilt sensor is embedded in the hollow section of the table top so as to sense tilt on a second axis. A tracking circuit, which can include a plurality of sensors arranged in a matrix format is provided. These can be embedded in the hollow section of the table top or can be atop the top surface of the table. A power supply embedded in the hollow section of the table top is provided. A communication circuit attached to the table top and electrically connected to the electronic controller is provided. The electronic controller sends a transmission signal including signals from the first tilt sensor, the second tilt sensor and the tracking circuit to the communication circuit which transmits the transmission signal.
US09522299B2

A multiple position locking handle for an exercise machine for that is movable into a plurality of different positions when unlocked and that is retained in a single secure position when locked. The multiple position locking handle for an exercise machine generally includes a tubular base having a lower end and an upper end, an elongated member extending through the opening of the upper end of the tubular base and extending downwardly through at least a portion of the tubular base, a handle extending outwardly from the elongated member at an angle, and a locking device. The elongated member is movable within the tubular base when the locking device is in the unlocked state and is substantially not movable within the tubular base when the locking device is in the locked state.
US09522297B2

A swiveling user support assembly has a user support or seat rotatably mounted on a user support mounting device or frame for rotation about a first pivot axis, while the mounting device or frame is pivotally or rigidly connected to a main frame of an exercise machine. The user support has a base, and a primary user support and stabilizing device mounted on the base. A pivot connection between the base and mounting device or frame allows the user support to swivel from side to side about the first pivot axis. A centering mechanism helps to orient the user support in a central position for user entry or exit.
US09522293B2

An exercise device comprising a flexible base member for placement between a seat and a person's buttocks. The flexible base member including proximate to at least two of the periphery edges one or more apertures as attachment points within the confines of the periphery edges of the base member. The flexible base member is capable of being folded, crumpled and rolled for portability and ease and flexibility of storage. The device also comprises at least one resilient resistance member having a handle end and an attachment end for attachment to the base member.
US09522292B2

A combination of a cover and a sprinkler head. The sprinkler head includes a fusible linkage mounted within a frame and having a protruding portion. The cover includes a first member adjacent to the protruding portion of the fusible linkage. The first member has a first connecting end and a first fastening end opposite the first connecting end. A second member is opposite to the first member and has a second connecting end and a second fastening end opposite the second connecting end. The first and second connecting ends are coupled to each other. A first projection and a second projection extend from the first member toward the second member and are in spaced relation to each other for receiving the protruding portion of the fusible linkage.
US09522286B2

A radiotherapy apparatus includes a rotatable drum on which is mounted a gantry arm carrying a radiation source, the arm extending from the drum to locate the source is offset from the axis of rotation of the drum and oriented towards the axis, and a mechanism to apply a tilt to the arm depending on the rotational orientation of the drum.
US09522279B2

A method and an apparatus are provided for interacting with targeted tissue of a patient. The apparatus comprises a central control module, a satellite module, and a lead. The satellite module comprises a processor, a communication module, a switching module, a memory, a sense amp, and a A/D converter. The apparatus is adapted for subcutaneous implantation. The central control module is coupled to the satellite module. The lead is coupled to the satellite module. A programming word comprising information to be sent to the satellite module is provided. The programming word is converted into identifiable groups of pulses corresponding to bits of the programming word. The identifiable groups of pulses are sent to the satellite module. The identifiable groups of pulses are converted to information for providing a therapy to the patient. The energy from the identifiable groups of pulses is stored to power the satellite module.
US09522275B2

Methods and systems for optimizing stimulation of a heart of a patient are disclosed. The method comprises: determining recommended pacing settings including recommended AV delays and/or recommended VV delays based on IEGM data. Further, at least one hemodynamical parameter is determined based on measured at least one hemodynamical signal. Reference pacing settings are determined including reference AV delays and/or reference VV delays based on said hemodynamical parameters. An AV delay correction value and a VV delay correction value are calculated as a difference between recommended AV and/or VV delays and reference AV and/or VV delays, respectively. The correction values are used for updating recommended AV and/or VV delays, respectively.
US09522271B2

System and methods for programming and delivering electrical stimulation to treat hypertension are described. In various embodiments, an ambulatory stimulator system, such as an implantable medical device, can detect a respiration-mediated heart rate variation (RM-HRV), monitor the efficacy of hypertension therapy and adjust the stimulation parameters using the detected RM-HRV to achieve desired therapy outcome. In some embodiments, the system can be configured to synchronize the detected heart rates to one or more respiration cycles or respiration phases within the respiration cycles, and determine the RM-HRV using the heart rates synchronized with the respiration cycles or the respiration phases. The RM-HRV may be presented to the system operator to monitor the efficacy of the AHT therapy. The ambulatory stimulator system can adjust the stimulation parameters using at least the RM-HRV.
US09522268B2

An implantable electrode arrangement for a cochlear implant system is described. The arrangement includes a flexible intracochlear electrode array having an outer surface with electrode contacts for applying cochlear stimulation signals to target neural tissue within the implanted cochlea. A flexible extracochlear electrode lead is coupled at a lead proximal end to an implanted signal processor that provides the cochlear stimulation signals, and connected at a lead distal end to a proximal end of the electrode array. A lead holder is connected to the lead distal end and has an initial shape. The lead holder is malleable and adapted to be intra-surgically deformed into and retain a new desired shape so as to secure the lead distal end at the electrode opening into the implanted cochlea and decouple post-surgical mechanical strain at the lead distal end from the electrode array.
US09522259B2

An instrument for inserting a suppository including a tube, having a first end adapted to receive the suppository and a second end, a plunger disposed in the tube and moveable therein to eject the suppository from the first end by causing an action of pushing the suppository from behind. Retaining tongues are splayed outwards for ejection of the suppository in response to movement of the plunger in the tube, via contacting cooperation between at least one part of the plunger and at least one part of the tube. Securement mechanism secure the plunger in the tube at first position in which the suppository is retained in the first end of the tube, while allowing a user to move the plunger to actuate the instrument, and to secure the plunger in the tube at a second position which is only achievable after the plunger has been moved to eject the suppository.
US09522256B2

In a coil-type guidewire, a coating portion of the coil portion is formed by stacking a plurality of films. An innermost film of the coating portion is arranged to come between adjacent coils of the coil body, and voids are formed between the innermost film and a film disposed outside of the innermost film. By forming such voids, it is possible to easily bend the coating portion and to improve flexibility of the coating portion. As a result, the guidewire in which the coil body is covered with the coating portion and the coil body (the guidewire) can be easily curved.
US09522253B2

Catheter assemblies, kits and methods allowing for the drainage or administration of fluid or small particles are disclosed. A catheter assembly can include a shaft with a lumen, an expandable retention member, an elongate actuation member and a locking mechanism. The expandable retention member can be positioned at a shaft distal end portion and can include one or more filaments forming a plurality of drainage or administration interstices of variable or uniform size. The elongate actuation member can include an actuation member distal end, directly or indirectly engaged with the expandable retention member, and an actuation member proximal end. Movement of the actuation member proximal end relative to a proximal end of the shaft can cause the expandable retention member to change from a lower-profile configuration to a higher-profile configuration. A moved position of the elongate actuation member can be secured by rotating, sliding or otherwise manipulating the locking mechanism.
US09522247B2

The invention concerns a nasal cannula assembly (10) adapted to deliver gases to a patient comprising a first compartment (1) and a second compartment (2) separated by a separation wall (6); a pair of nasal prongs (5) in fluid communication with the first compartment (1); the first compartment (1) comprising a first inlet (11) for introducing a first gas into said first compartment (1); the second compartment (2) comprising a second inlet (2) for introducing a second gas into said second compartment (2); and the separation wall (6) comprising at least one valve element (3) for controlling the passage of gas from the second compartment (2) to the first compartment (1). The invention concerns also a breathing assistance apparatus comprising a source of NO gas, and said nasal cannula assembly (10) in fluid communication with said source of NO gas.
US09522239B2

A medical injector has a body with a displaceable plunger. The plunger includes a plurality of spaced-apart ratchet teeth disposed along the length thereof. At least one indexer is provided to engage the plunger, wherein the indexer is configured to allow the plunger to displace distally toward a distal end of the body but not proximally toward a proximal end of the body. The medical injector also includes an actuator having an engagement portion formed to engage one or more of the ratchet teeth. The actuator is displaceable to a ready state, the engagement portion being displaced proximally relative to the plunger with the actuator being displaced to the ready state. The indexer prevents proximal movement of the plunger, thereby allowing the engagement portion to bypass one or more of the ratchet teeth with the actuator being displaced to the ready state. In addition, the actuator is displaceable from the ready state to cause actuation of the medical injector. The displacement from the ready state causes distal displacement of the engagement portion with the engagement portion engaging one or more of the ratchet teeth and causing distal displacement of the plunger with the engagement portion.
US09522235B2

An apparatus includes a medicament container, a first elastomeric member, a second elastomeric member and a stopper. The first and second elastomeric members are disposed within the medicament container. The first elastomeric member, a first portion of the medicament container and the second elastomeric member collectively define a medicament volume. The stopper is coupled to a distal end portion of the medicament container. The second elastomeric member, a second portion of the medicament container and the stopper collectively define a vent volume. A first retainer of the stopper is configured to engage a first portion of a carrier to limit movement of the medicament container when in a first position. A second retainer of the stopper is configured to engage a second portion of the carrier to limit movement of the medicament container when in a second position.
US09522230B2

A mechanical leech system may include a fluid exchange assembly. The fluid exchange assembly may be attached to a patient's target tissue area via suturing or the like, and may be activated to perform blood removal and treatment agent infusion. The fluid exchange assembly may include an inflow pathway for infusion of treatment agents into the tissue area, and an outflow pathway for removal of blood. The outflow pathway may be sized and/or shaped to promote laminar fluid flow and avoid coagulation. The assembly may include a channel housing, gasket, and base. Needles seated in the assembly may receive blood from a patient and infuse a treatment agent into the patient. The assembly may be connectable to a pump to urge the blood and the treatment agent through the inflow and outflow pathways. A cradle optionally provides protection and storage for the assembly.
US09522224B2

A system includes an inductive backplane, at least one communications interface, and a control unit. The inductive backplane is configured to secure and inductively power a plurality of detachable medical device modules. The control unit controls, via the at least one communications interface, at least one attribute of each medical device module when the medical device module is secured to the inductive backplane. Related apparatus, systems, techniques and articles are also described.
US09522221B2

An eye treatment cassette includes a handpiece, a vacuum source, a holding tank, a collection bag, and a displacement-based pump. The handpiece is configured to aspirate fluids from a patient's eye. The vacuum source communicates with the handpiece. The holding tank is interposed between the handpiece and the vacuum source, and is configured to hold the aspirated fluids. The collection bag is connected to the holding tank for collecting the aspirated fluids. The pump is coupled to the holding tank and is configured to operate while the vacuum source continues to aspirate fluids via the handpiece to drain the aspirated fluids from the holding tank.
US09522220B2

A bioerodible endoprosthesis includes a bioerodible magnesium alloy including between 50 weight percent and 92 weight percent magnesium, at least 5.5 weight percent in sum of one or more elements selected from the group consisting of Ho, Er, Lu, Tb and Tm, and at least 2.0 weight percent in sum of one or more elements selected from the group consisting of Y, Nd and Gd. The bioerodible magnesium alloy has a microstructure including equiaxed Mg-rich solid solution-phase grains having an average grain diameter of less than or equal to 15 microns and second-phase precipitates and/or ceramic nanoparticles in grain boundaries between the equiaxed Mg-rich solid solution-phase grains. The secondary-phase precipitates or ceramic nanoparticles have an average longest dimension of 2.0 micron or less. The microstructure can be produced by one or more equal-channel high-strain processes.
US09522215B2

Systems, methods and kits for treating hemorrhages within cavities are provided. The methods utilize the application of a rapid spike of pressure to the closed cavity, followed by a steady state pressure or pressures.
US09522213B2

A pressure-sensitive hot melt adhesive composition is disclosed that includes at least 10% by weight of a first propylene thermoplastic elastomer, at least 25% by weight of a first tackifying agent exhibiting a softening point of at least 120° C., and at least 25% by weight plasticizer.
US09522210B2

Methods for purifying air with air purifiers are disclosed. Optionally, the methods provide purified air characterized by: a TVOC content of from less than 5 ppb to about 500 ppb; and a particulate content of from about 1,000 0.3 μm particles per ft3 to about 50,000 0.3 μm particles per ft3, or from about 600 0.5 μm particles per ft3 to about 500,000 0.5 μm particles per ft3.
US09522208B2

Technologies are generally described for systems, devices, and methods effective to disperse fragrance from a material. A material may be infused with a fragrance around a charging column of a collar. The collar may be positioned between a base and a cap. An insertion section may include electrodes effective to receive and conduct an electric current from an electric source. The base may include a fan mounted to the base. The cap may be attached to the collar. The cap may have a ring shaped cross section and may be effective to secure the material infused with the fragrance to the collar. Electric current may be received from the electrodes and may be effective to operate the fan. The fan may be effective to blow air through a first vent in the collar to disperse the fragrance from the material through a second vent in the cap.
US09522203B2

Though chlorine dioxide is generally used to control bacterial contamination, a method was developed which allows the use of stabilized chlorine dioxide (SCD) for controlling contamination during fermentation that uses the bacteria Zymomonas as the biocatalyst, even though Zymomonas is sensitive to chlorine dioxide. Parameters were identified for inoculating a composition for fermentation with Zymomonas cells after a time period has elapsed following SCD addition.
US09522199B2

A method for recovering an endohedral metallofullerene comprises a complexation step of adding a Lewis acid comprising titanium halide or tin halide to a reaction solution formed by dissolving crude fullerenes in a solvent, thereby forming a complex of the endohedral metallofullerene and the Lewis acid, a filtering step of filtering the reaction solution to separate the complex, and a washing step of removing the Lewis acid from the complex to obtain the endohedral metallofullerene. The obtained endohedral metallofullerene is soluble in a solvent. This method provides a high recovery yield of the endohedral metallofullerene.
US09522195B2

This invention relates to the use of monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies that specifically bind to and have the ability in the alternative to become internalized by cells expressing folate receptor alpha (FRA) and to induce an immune effector activity such as antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity. The antibodies are useful in specific delivery of pharmacologic agents to FRA-expressing cells as well as in eliciting an immune-effector activity particularly on tumor cells and precursors. The invention is also related to nucleotides encoding the antibodies of the invention, cells expressing the antibodies; methods of detecting cancer cells; and methods of treating cancer using the antibodies.
US09522192B2

The synthesis of a series of Polyethylene glycol conjugates (esters and carbonates) of PEA and its analogous acylethanolamides, have higher water solubility and good hydrophilic/lipophilic balance, resulting in (i) improved accumulation in tissues (particularly skin and mucosae), (ii) prolonged release, and (iii) increased bioavailability. Improvement of PEA and analogous acylethanolamides levels in the tissues—particularly in the skin and mucosae—and their prolonged release is due to the improved bioavailability of related conjugates. Conjugates are able to extend the time frame in which PEA and analogous acylethanolamides exert their pharmacological effects.
US09522189B2

A composition comprising: a benefit agent; at least one polymer including a poly(monostearoyl glycerol-co-succinate) polymer; at least one lower alcohol; and at least one co-solvent; and a method for enhancing topical delivery of a benefit agent are disclosed.
US09522184B2

The invention relates to the use of CD89 activating molecules, in particular Fc alpha comprising molecules, and more particularly, IgA, for inducing apoptosis in neutrophils. Anti-CD89 antibodies can alternatively be used. The CD89 activation is beneficial in the treatment of various disorders associated with increases in neutrophils, such as autoimmune disorders, inflammatory disorders, NETosis, or cystic fibrosis.
US09522182B2

The present invention relates to the use of an immunogenic composition comprising a porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) antigen for the prevention and treatment, including a reduction in the severity of, duration of, and manifestations of, porcine respiratory disease complex (PRDC) in animals, preferably in pigs.
US09522179B2

Embodiments herein report methods and compositions for treating cardiac conditions. In certain embodiments, compositions and methods relate to reducing, inhibiting or treating a subject having or suspected of undergoing cardiac remodeling after a cardiac event. Other embodiments herein relate to compounds including naturally occurring and synthetic compositions of alpha-1 antitrypsin and fragments thereof.
US09522169B2

The present invention provides a clear depot comprising at least one hydrophilic water-soluble pharmaceutically active agent selected from the group consisting of vancomycin, gentamicin, a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof and a mixture thereof, water, a phospholipid, an oil, optionally a pH adjusting agent, and a viscosity modifying agent selected from the group consisting of ethanol, isopropanol, and a mixture thereof, wherein the water present in the depot is no more than about 4 wt % relative to the total weight of the depot and the depot has a pH of between about 3 and about 6, method of making and administering same.
US09522162B2

Described herein are methods for treating or preventing urological inflammation in a subject comprising administering to the subject an effective amount of a compound comprising a. a modified hyaluronan or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or ester thereof, wherein said hyaluronan or its pharmaceutically acceptable salt or ester comprises at least one sulfate group and at least one primary C-6 hydroxyl position of an N-acetyl-glucosamine residue comprising an alkyl group or fluoroalkyl group; b. a partially or fully sulfated hyaluronan or the pharmaceutically acceptable salt or ester thereof, or a combination thereof.
US09522158B2

The present invention relates to the field of viral disorders, and in particular to the use of natural compounds to inhibit viruses and viral infection. Compositions comprising NGNA are provided for treating or preventing viral infections, such as those causing the common cold.
US09522156B2

Described herein are nitrated lipids and methods of making and using the nitrated lipids.
US09522154B2

The invention relates to a method for scheduling ovulation in a female subject, which method comprises administering ulipristal acetate (UPA) to the female subject during the follicular phase.
US09522151B2

The present invention provides a method for treating allergic dermatitis, atopic dermatitis, or one or more symptoms thereof in a mammal in need, which method comprises administering to the mammal a first therapeutically effective dose of a Janus Kinase (JAK) inhibitor twice a day for a number of days sufficient to ease or eliminate one or more clinical signs in the mammal, followed by a second therapeutically effective dose of the JAK inhibitor at a reduced frequency.
US09522147B1

An extended release composition for an analgesic active pharmaceutical ingredient which may be an opioid, preferably hydrocodone as the only active ingredient. The extended release composition preferably comprises a extended release composition which may be in the form of beads contained in an oral dosage form such as gelatin capsules. The composition is designed to release hydrocodone in a way such that the increase in hydrocodone exposure in hepatically impaired patients is not clinically significant. The oral dosage units are supplied as part of a kit, which also includes a primary package and a package insert all sold as a commercially marketed product. The primary package and package insert are contained in an optional secondary package and the package insert does not contain a warning, a dosing instruction, or a dosing table specifically directed to patients suffering from mild, moderate or severe hepatic impairment, and preferably explicitly states that dosing adjustment is not required for mild or moderate hepatic impairment.
US09522138B2

Methods and compounds for research and treatment of portal hypertension. The use of racemic or non-racemic mixtures of furopyridine isomers to stimulate eNOS function in sinusoidal endothelial cells and to increase NO production in both normal sinusoidal endothelial cells and injured endothelial cells.
US09522137B2

The present invention relates to specific doses of and dosing regimens for using a 1,2,4-oxadiazole benzoic acid compound in treating or preventing diseases associated with nonsense mutations. In particular, the invention relates to specific doses and dosing regimens for the use of 3-[5-(2-fluoro-phenyl)-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl]-benzoic acid in mammals having diseases associated with nonsense mutations.
US09522126B2

The invention generally relates to methods of using adrenergic receptor agonists for the treatment of skin and mucosal superficial wounds. Some of the preferred adrenergic receptor agonists include epinephrine, phenylephrine, norepinephrine, methoxamine, and mixtures thereof. Methods according to the invention are especially effective to control superficial skin and mucosal bleeding and accelerate healing time.
US09522120B2

The present invention includes compositions and methods for the controlled release of active agents in a shelf-stable liquid formulation by blending one or more controlled release microbeads comprising one or more active agents, preparing a dense, thixotropic solution having a density that is at, or about, the density of the one or more microbeads comprising a thixotropic agent, water and one or more preservatives under conditions that reduce bubble formation and mixing the microbeads and the thixotropic solutions in a mixer that lacks scraping paddles.
US09522106B2

A subject-matter of the invention is a method for dyeing and/or lightening keratinous fibres, such as the hair, employing i) at least one direct dye having a disulphide, thiol or protected thiol functional group and ii) at least one thickening organic polymer, iii) at least one (poly)ethoxylated fatty alcohol and/or one nonionic surfactant, iv) at least one alkaline agent and v) at least one reducing agent. Another subject-matter of the invention is a composition comprising the ingredients i) to v), the use of the combination of i), ii), iii), iv) and v) for dyeing and/or lightening keratinous fibres and a multicompartment kit comprising the ingredients i) to v). The dyeing method and the composition according to the invention make it possible in particular to obtain a lasting coloration on keratinous fibres which is intense, chromatic and/or homogeneous, with or without the use of an oxidizing agent.
US09522103B2

Disclosed herein are compositions comprising a fluoride ion source, a poly(propylene oxide)/poly(ethylene oxide) copolymer, and optionally a sparingly soluble acid; and methods of using and of making the same.
US09522098B2

A reconstitution device having an opening surrounded by a neck, and a cap including a first end, a second end, and an inner bore having a central aperture. A stopper is positioned in the opening of the neck and includes a portion capable of being perforated. A plunger is located at the second end of the cap, is configured to slide along the inner bore of the cap, and includes a shaft extending downwardly in a direction towards the stopper and having a pointed end for piercing the stopper. A locking mechanism is located in the cap and includes an aperture. The locking mechanism is configured such that when the plunger is pushed downwardly the shaft is allowed to pass through the aperture, but when the plunger is pulled upwardly the second aperture changes shape such that the shaft cannot freely pass through the aperture.
US09522095B2

A method for mobilizing a hip joint capsule of a patient using a resilient bolster. In accordance with the method, the patient assumes a lateral position, with the hip capsule to be treated superior. The resilient bolster is placed between the patient's legs as proximal to the patient's crotch. A force is applied to patient's superior leg to move it downwardly from a resting position. During downward movement of the patient's superior leg, the bolster functions as a fulcrum and the patient's superior femur functions as a lever arm to create a first class lever that partially distracts the femoral head from the acetabulum. After application of the force, the resiliency of the bolster causes the patient's superior leg to return to the resting position. The movements may be repeated, and the degree of hip flexion and rotation may be varied to affect different regions of the hip capsule.
US09522094B2

The present teachings provide for an exercise device for exercising a joint and a limb. The device includes an actuator, a foot plate, a foot plate load cell, and a restrictor. The actuation member is rotatable about a rotation axis. The actuation member includes a first portion and a second portion that is movable in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis. The foot plate is at a distal end of the second portion of the actuation member. The foot plate load cell is mounted to the foot plate and is configured to measure force exerted on the foot plate. The restrictor is configured to restrict movement of the second portion of the actuation member and the foot plate at the distal end thereof in the direction perpendicular to the rotation axis unless force exerted on the foot plate exceeds a predetermined force.
US09522089B2

An absorbent article may comprise a first zone comprising graphics and a second zone comprising graphics, wherein the first and second zones have different elastic properties. Further, the absorbent article may comprise a first absorbent article component and a second absorbent article component having substantially different elastic properties, wherein the first absorbent article component comprises an elastomer. Additionally, the absorbent article may comprise a third absorbent article component overlapping the first and second absorbent article components, wherein the third absorbent article component comprises graphics on at least the portions which overlap the first and second absorbent article components.
US09522085B2

A method of treating tinnitus comprising measuring a patient's hearing, determining the patient's hearing loss and the patient's tinnitus frequency using the measurements of the patient's hearing, programming a clinical controller with the measurements of the patient's hearing, selecting a plurality of therapeutic tones, where the therapeutic tones are selected to be at least a half-octave above or below of the patient's tinnitus frequency, setting an appropriate volume for each of the plurality of tones, repetitively playing each of the plurality of therapeutic tones, and pairing a vagus nerve stimulation pulse train with each playing of a therapeutic tone, thereby reducing the patient's perception of tinnitus.
US09522070B2

An adjustable spinal fusion intervertebral implant including upper and lower body portions each having proximal and distal surfaces at proximal and distal ends thereof. The implant can include a proximal wedge member disposed at the proximal ends of the respective ones of the upper and lower body portions, and a distal wedge member disposed at the distal ends of the respective ones of the upper and lower body portions. First and second linkages can connect the upper and lower body portions. Rotation of an actuator shaft can cause the distal and proximal wedge members to be drawn together such that longitudinal movement of the distal wedge member against the distal surfaces and the longitudinal movement of the proximal wedge member against the proximal surfaces causes separation of the upper and lower body portions.
US09522069B1

A spinal cage with a wall extending in a longitudinal direction defining an interior space is disclosed. There is also provided a deployable element in movable relation to the spinal cage. In some embodiments, there is a rib, and the rotatable member is engaged at one end with the wall and at the other end with the rib. In some embodiments, the spinal cage is provided with holes for screws that can be directed at adjacent vertebrae for fixation. Such a spinal cage can be used with the spin-plate or with the screws. The screws and the spinal cage may have features that cooperate to prevent back-out of the screws.
US09522063B2

A delivery system for percutaneously deploying a prosthetic heart valve. The system includes an inner shaft assembly, a delivery sheath capsule and a handle maintaining a first actuator and a second actuator. The capsule is configured to compressively retain the prosthetic heart valve over the inner shaft assembly. The first actuator is operated to proximally retract the delivery sheath capsule and expose the prosthetic heart valve relative to the capsule. The second actuator is operated to proximally retract the prosthetic heart valve by transmitting forces to the inner shaft assembly.
US09522060B2

A prosthetic capsular device configured to be inserted in an eye includes a housing structure and a ring structure. The housing structure includes a first side, a second side opposite the first side, a third side, a fourth side opposite the third side, a posterior side including a refractive surface, an anterior side opposite the posterior side, and a longitudinal axis. The first side, the second side, the third side, the fourth side, the posterior side, and the anterior side at least partially define a cavity configured to contain an intraocular device (e.g., an IOL). The anterior side includes an opening. The ring structure includes a ring structure portion extending radially outward from proximate one of an end of the first side and an end of the second side.
US09522049B2

An electric-motor arrangement for a medical, in particular dental, handpiece that has a motor housing and a rotor which is arranged in the motor housing so that it can be rotated about an axis via a first bearing and a second bearing. A stator is arranged around the rotor in relation to the axis. The first bearing is received in a first bearing flange, and the second bearing is received in a second bearing flange. Both bearing flanges are composed of metal and adjoin the motor housing directly by way of their circumferential faces. As a result, running noise and vibrations can be reduced. Moreover, premature wear and/or failure can be prevented.
US09522048B1

In the present invention, an electrophysiology (EP) mapping or recording device for obtaining and recording information on a patient connected to the EP system includes a central processing unit (CPU), a display connected to the CPU, a catheter connected to the CPU by a catheter input module and configured to supply a physiological signal to the CPU via the input module and a catheter identification system connected between the input module catheter and the CPU. The identification system includes a driver circuit that communicates with the CPU to determine a color of a visual representation of the signal from the catheter on the display and a light source connected to the driver circuit. The light source is operated by the driver circuit to emit light corresponding to the color of the representation on the display to identify the catheter in conjunction with the representation on the display.
US09522047B2

A surgical manipulation instrument which is particularly suitable for minimal invasive surgery, comprising an extra-corporeal drive device to which several axially displaceable first actuation elements are connected. The disclosure also relates to a partial intra-corporeal manipulator part which comprises several axially displaceable second actuation devices for actuating an end effector. Pairs of actuation elements are detachably connected together by means of a coupling device. A pivotable intermediate element is provided between the second coupling element and the second actuation element.
US09522045B2

A system for accounting for electromagnetic (EM) distortion with an EM tracking system includes a sensor array (144) configured to sense EM energy in a target volume. An EM sensing correction module (140) is configured to analyze data from the sensor array to detect EM distorters in the target volume. The EM sensing correction module is further configured to compare distortion fingerprints stored in a database (142) to identify a distortion source.
US09522043B1

The present invention is a storage and protection device for bronchoscopes having a protection tube of sufficient length to enclose at least a majority of a length of an insertion tube of a flexible bronchoscope. Extending upward from a top end of the protection tube is an upper structure support clamp adapted to releasably secure an upper structure of the flexible bronchoscope so that at least a majority of the length of the insertion tube lies within the protection tube. The upper structure support clamp connection with the upper structure of the bronchoscope preferably allows the insertion tube to hang freely within the protection tube when the protection tube is oriented substantially vertically.
US09522035B2

A catheter with ablation and potential sensing capabilities is adapted for outer circumferential contact with an opening of a tubular region and inner circumferential contact within the tubular region. The catheter has a proximal electrode assembly and a distal electrode assembly for ablation of an ostium and potential sensing inside the pulmonary vein so that it is possible to obtain ECG signals inside a pulmonary vein when ablating around the ostium. The distal electrode assembly has an elongated member defining a longitudinal axis and a plurality of spines surrounding the member and converging at their proximal and distal ends, where each spine has at least one electrode and a curvature so that the spine bows radially outwardly from the member. The proximal electrode assembly has a proximal electrode assembly has an elongated member configured with a generally radial portion and a generally circular portion generally transverse to the catheter axis, where the generally circular portion comprising a plurality of electrodes. The control handle advantageously allows a user to manipulate a tensile member for changing the curvature of the spine.
US09522034B2

A tissue removal system for extracting a tissue specimen from a patient is disclosed. The system has a retrieval bag, a first electrode, and a return electrode. The retrieval bag has a flexible container with an opening. The first electrode is coupled to an interior of the flexible container, and has a conductive wire with an exposure area, a first load-bearing area, a coating having a first active electrode surface area, and an impedance that is greater than an impedance of the conductive wire. The first active electrode surface area is less than the exposure area. The coating is configured to degrade during application of electrosurgical power and wherein the degradation expands the first active electrode surface area during the application of the electrosurgical power.
US09522026B2

A surgical cable system having a length of cable and a locking body on which a first cable end is operatively located. The locking body defines a receiver for a first portion of the cable with the cable formed into a first loop that resides generally in a first plane. A locking structure on the locking body cooperates with the first portion of the cable to maintain the first loop in a tensioned state. The locking structure has an actuator that is operable to change the state of the locking structure. The locking structure is changeable from a released state into a locked state as an incident of one of: a) moving at least a part of the actuator along and/or around an axis that is generally parallel to the first plane; and b) moving a part of the cable length along a first line that is generally parallel to the first plane.
US09522015B2

A fixing device applicable to an ear including a cartilage and a skin covering the cartilage is provided. A gap is formed between the skin and the cartilage. The fixing device includes a puncturing unit and a clamping unit. The puncturing unit includes a puncturing needle penetrating the skin, the gap and the cartilage. The clamping unit includes a clamping opening engaged with the puncturing needle to have the puncturing unit and the clamping unit pressing the skin. Wherein, the skin is attached to the cartilage through the pressing of the puncturing unit and the clamping unit so as to remove the gap. In addition, the puncturing needle has a trench to drain the blood away.
US09522011B2

A shock wave applicator includes a reflector and a movable shockwave-generating electrode disposed in the reflector at a first focal point. The reflector is at least a portion of an ellipsoidal shape having a long and small axis with the first focal point and a second focal point on the long axis, and the reflector terminates at an edge defining a membrane-covered aperture on a plane intersecting the small axis and coincident with the second focal point.
US09522007B2

A saw blade has a base configured for attachment with a driver, the saw being configured for cutting bone. The saw blade includes a body extending from the base to a free end, the body enclosing at least three sides of an open area adjacent the base. The blade further includes a cutting edge having a width and disposed on the body adjacent to the free end thereof and adjacent to the open area such that at least a portion of the cutting edge is disposed toward the base. The open area of the saw blade can be sized to receive a portion of a long bone therein.
US09522002B2

The present disclosure is directed to a surgical apparatus, comprising an anvil jaw configured to form at least one surgical staple, a cartridge jaw configured to deploy one or more surgical staples against the anvil jaw, and a pressure distribution device attached to at least one of the anvil jaw and the cartridge jaw, wherein the pressure distribution device is configured to distribute a clamping pressure to a target tissue during a clamping and a stapling of the target tissue.
US09521999B2

A suture anchor includes a threaded anchor body having a first central bore in communication with a second central bore. The suture anchor includes an internal eyelet formed of a loop disposed at least partially inside the first central bore. The ends extending from the loop are tied together to form at least one knot which is housed in the second central bore provided at the distal end of the anchor body. The knot increases the pullout strength of the suture even in soft bone, provides increased suture fixation, and eliminates the anchor “pull back.”
US09521995B2

Devices and tissue fasteners for approximating and fastening tissue using minimally invasive techniques are disclosed. Methods for approximating and fastening tissue by application of one or more tissue fasteners are also provided. In one embodiment, spaced apart tissue locations are engaged by tissue penetrating members of a deformable fastener, one of more of the engaged tissue locations is moved toward another engaged tissue location to approximate the spaced apart locations, and the deformable fastener is deployed to secure the approximated tissue locations. These methods may be used in laparoscopic plication gastroplasty procedures for forming an invaginated tissue fold, to close holes in the gastrointestinal lumen, and in a variety of interventional procedures.
US09521989B2

An evaluation aid is used as a phantom (imitation lesion) when a digital X-ray dynamic image thereof is taken and evaluated for image qualities for X-ray absorption parts having different X-ray absorption ratios. The evaluation aid contains a fixed plate (plate-like body) including a plurality of regions having different X-ray absorption ratios; a rotating disk (movable body) having a plurality of wires (wire rods), the rotating disk capable of rotating (moving) with respect to the fixed plate so that the plurality of wires traverse X-ray with which the fixed plate is irradiated; and a driving motor (driving portion) which rotates (moves) the rotating disk with respect to the fixed plate. It is preferred that thicknesses and/or constituent materials of the plurality of regions of the fixed plate are different from each other, so that these regions have the different X-ray absorption ratios.
US09521988B2

A method for tracking vessels in image data includes receiving a plurality of image frames and annotating a target vessel in the plurality of image frames. A plurality of tracking targets associated with the target vessel is selected based on a first image frame included in the plurality of image frames. For each respective image frame, a set of tracking points are determined according to a tracking algorithm which includes: selecting a plurality of landmark hypothesis points for each tracking target in the respective frame based on a comparison with a previous image frame, constructing a directed acyclic graph from the plurality of landmark hypothesis points, and solving the directed acyclic graph to yield a plurality of optimal landmarks for the respective image frame.
US09521975B2

A method for detecting a disease such as Alzheimer's disease by analysis of retinal vasculature is disclosed. The method for detecting a disease by analysis of retinal vasculature may include applying a combination of optical retro mode illumination techniques to acquire a plurality of amyloid beta plaques and drusen images that are too small to be seen with other imaging modalities. The disease may also be detected with a non-transitory computer storage media having instructions stored thereon which, when executed, execute the method for detecting a disease by analysis of retinal vasculature. The method may track changes in lumen thickness, plaque, size, area and density of the disease by analysis of retinal vasculature over a predetermined period of time.
US09521974B2

The invention provides a urine flow meter of gravitation or capacitance type in which a container is connected to a weight transducer or a capacitance sensor. An arrangement is provided to sense the level of urine in the container. An arrangement of siphon tube & solenoid valve is also provided to start and stop rinsing of the container automatically. The invention is easily adapted to a male or female type urinal. The collected urine in beaker is flushed by siphon after completion of test.
US09521963B2

A respiratory component measurement system that includes an airway adapter adapted to be placed in fluid communication with an airway of a patient and a sensor element in physical communication with the airway adapter. The sensor element is adapted to detect an orientation related characteristic of the airway adapter, a motion related characteristic of the airway adapter, or both. A respiratory component sensor is also adapted to be disposed on the airway adapter so as to measure a characteristic associated with a flow of gas through the airway adapter. An indicating element coupled to the respiratory component sensor is adapted to output a representation of the orientation related characteristic.
US09521962B2

A method of determining a value of a physiological parameter for a subject at a selected state includes obtaining, via a device located a distance from the subject, a value of the physiological parameter of the subject at a particular time-of-day, and applying a time-dependent relationship function to the obtained physiological parameter value via a processor to determine a value of the physiological parameter at the selected state.
US09521961B2

A guidance system for assisting with the insertion of a needle into a patient body is disclosed. The guidance system utilizes ultrasound imaging or other suitable imaging technology. In one embodiment, the guidance system comprises an imaging device including a probe for producing an image of an internal body portion target, such as a vessel. One or more sensors are included with the probe. The sensors sense a detectable characteristic related to the needle, such as a magnetic field of a magnet included with the needle. The system includes a processor that uses data relating to the sensed characteristic to determine a 3-D position of the needle. The system includes a display for depicting the position of the needle. In other embodiments, a guidance system for guiding rigid or other medical instruments is disclosed, together with various example implementations thereof.
US09521954B2

What is disclosed is a video system and method that accounts for differences in imaging characteristics of differing video systems used to acquire video of respective regions of interest of a subject being monitored for a desired physiological function. In one embodiment, video is captured using N video imaging devices, where N≧2, of respective regions of interest of a subject being monitored for a desired physiological function (i.e., a respiratory or cardiac function). Each video imaging device is different but has complimentary imaging characteristics. A reliability factor f is determined for each of the devices in a manner more fully disclosed herein. A time-series signal is generated from each of the videos. Each time-series signal is weighted by each respective reliability factor and combined to obtain a composite signal. A physiological signal can be then extracted from the composite signal. The processed physiological signal corresponds to the desired physiological function.
US09521950B2

A slit lamp mounted eye imaging, a slit lamp integrated, a handheld, OCT integrated, or attached to a separate chinrest-joystick assembly apparatus and method for producing a wide field and/or magnified views of the posterior or the anterior segments of an eye through an undilated or dilated pupil is disclosed. The apparatus images sections and focal planes and utilizes an illumination system that uses one or more LEDs, shifting optical elements, flipping masks, and/or aperture stops where the light can be delivered into the optical system on optical axis or off axis from center of optical system and return imaging path from the eye, creating artifacts in different locations on the eye image. Image processing is employed to detect and eliminate artifacts and masks from images. The apparatus can be used in combination with an OCT, microscope and can be disposed in a hand-held housing for hand-held use.
US09521941B2

A flow through chemical sensor includes a housing having a through passage along which chemical can flow, a sidewall of the housing having first and second openings that communicate with the through passage. A first electrode is mounted on the housing and aligned with the first opening, the first electrode of a plate configuration with a unitary depression that extends through the first opening and to a peripheral edge of the through passage. A second electrode is mounted on the housing and aligned with the second opening, the second electrode of a plate configuration with a unitary depression that extends through the second opening and to the peripheral edge of the through passage. A method of detecting presence or absence of chemical is also provided.
US09521935B2

A vacuum cleaner includes a vacuum suction pipe through which impurities are collected together with air. A suction side plate has a central hole which corresponds with the vacuum suction pipe so that the vacuum suction pipe is fitted in the central hole. A holding plate is spaced apart from the suction side plate. A spring unit connects the suction side plate with the holding plate to elastically adjust a distance between the suction side plate and the holding plate.
US09521931B2

This application discloses a novel detachable sleeve comprising an elongated body, an internal cavity adapted to receive a handle and a reversible locking mechanism to engage and disengage with the handle when received by the internal cavity.
US09521928B1

A barbeque cooking system is disclosed. The system includes heating modules expandably connected together and movable between a closed state and an open state. The heating modules define an internal cooking volume when in the open state. The system further includes a frame removably connected to the heating modules to retain the heating modules in the open state. Each heating module supports a heat source. The heating modules direct heat from the heat source radially inward to a center of the cooking volume.
US09521923B2

A brewable beverage making cup adaptor for cartridge type coffee making machines of the type having an inlet spout for supplying pressurized hot water, includes a cup body defining a chamber for holding a brewable material; a lower closure closing a lower end of the cup body, and including a small discharge opening through which a brewed liquid is discharged; an upper cover closing an upper end of the cup body, and including an inlet opening adapted to be positioned below the inlet spout for the supply of pressurized water to the cup body, and an offset valve opening for fluidly connecting the chamber with ambient atmosphere; and a valve for closing the valve opening when the chamber is filled at least at a predetermined level with the pressurized water and for opening the valve opening when the pressurized water in the chamber falls below the predetermined level.
US09521922B2

Systems and methods for dispensing beverages are provided. Aspects relate to obtaining measurements regarding dispensing an ingredient (including the dispensing conditions of the ingredient) and determining whether to adjust dispensing conditions of at least one other ingredient. In one embodiment, at least one ingredient of a recipe is not dispensed based upon a dispensing measurement. The adjustment of one or more ingredients may comprise the use of adjustable orifices, which do not require separate measurements of ingredients before dispensing, but rather may measure ingredients' parameters (including dispensing conditions) as they are dispensed. Certain embodiments relate to devices and methods that may determine if an ingredient is a non-Newtonian fluid, and if so, may be configured to conduct measurements on such fluids, including, for example, the strain stress and strain rate as the fluid passes within a conduit.
US09521921B2

The present invention relates to the field of beverage dispensers. Specifically, embodiments of the present invention provide an apparatus capable of dispensing water and other beverages through single serving or similar brewing containers. Preferred embodiments of the present invention are configured to be integrated within, on, upon an existing sink or water basin and operate in conjunction with an existing pressurized water source, such as municipal water source, well water source or other residential or commercial pressurized water system.
US09521916B2

A system and method for hanging a picture frame on a wall, comprising the steps of providing a picture frame with a hanger, for receiving a nail therein and a marking device temporarily secured to the picture frame and disposed near the void for receiving the nail; pressing the picture frame with the marking device protruding out from the picture frame, so that the marking device makes a perceivable mark on the wall, then removing the marking device; inserting a nail, screw or a length adjustable wall auger into the wall at the mark; and hanging the picture with the hanger so that the nail, screw or a length adjustable wall auger occupies some of the space earlier occupied by the marking device.
US09521906B2

The present invention provides a kit and a method for assembling a mounting (1) for mounting furniture to a wall. The kit comprises a mounting part (1) having a first component (2) having a first adhesive receiving portion with double sided adhesive foam applied thereto and a second component (3) having a second receiving portion (12). The first adhesive is chosen to develop a bond very quickly to the wall. The second adhesive forms a bond more slowly but is much stronger and provides the main force for supporting the item of furniture. The first component (2) and the second component (3) are releasably mountable with respect to one another. In another aspect, the second component (3) is provided with cruciform slots (10) which can alternatively be used to fix the component to a wall using screws.
US09521904B2

A cabinet is mounted on a spindle, which may be secured to a slide-out shelf within the gun safe for additional storage. The cabinet includes one or more doors that hingedly open to allow access to the interior of the cabinet. Upper and lower external mounting surfaces are provided to retain a rifle for storage. An optional upper pistol support and an internal safe may also be included.
US09521902B2

A shoe carousel device that includes in one embodiment a base for stabilization and support, a support stem attached to the base and extending upwards therefrom at an approximate 90 degree angle, and a plurality of stackable shelves mounted on the support stem, including a discrete top shelf. The stackable shelves and top shelf are circular shaped with a raised outer tab and lighting disposed along their circumference and a relatively thin mesh surfacing. In some embodiments, the shoe carousel device also includes a foot pedal actuated motor operative to rotate the shoe carousel device.
US09521897B2

An adapter for connecting an article having MOLLE webbing thereon to a surface having no MOLLE webbing thereon comprises an intermediate panel in which is provided a plurality of slots, and on one side of which is provided a hook-and-loop fastener component for selectively attaching the panel to said surface. Straps connect the article to the panel while the fastener component connects the panel to a surface.
US09521888B2

A protective cover includes a main body, a lid, and a touch unit. The main body receives a handheld electronic device. The lid is pivotally connected to the main body via a connection plate. The lid includes a touch panel. The touch unit is mounted inside the lid and the connection plate. The touch unit is configured to calculate touch track of the touch panel and transmit a touch signal to the handheld electronic device.
US09521883B2

There is provided a slide fastener. Each of a pair of fastener element rows is a coil-shaped fastener element row made of synthetic resin. Each of fastener elements includes an engaging head section, a first leg section and a second leg section. The first and second leg sections protrude from the engaging head section and extend parallel to each other. The first leg section comes in contact with the corresponding fastener tape and the second leg section does not come in contact with the corresponding fastener tape. The first leg section is colored in a color different from those of the fastener tapes and the second leg section. The color of the first leg section is visible through a gap between the pair of fastener tapes.
US09521877B2

An article of footwear comprises a sole structure having a cushioning component defining an enclosed, fluid-filled chamber. The cushioning component has a top wall, a bottom wall, a medial side wall, and a lateral side wall. The cushioning component includes a unitary outsole having a bottom portion, a medial side portion, and a lateral side portion. The bottom portion is bonded to the bottom wall, the medial side portion is bonded to the medial side wall, and the lateral side portion is bonded to the lateral side wall of the cushioning component. A method of manufacturing includes disposing the first and second polymer sheets and the outsole in a mold assembly and thermally bonding the outsole to the second polymer sheet, and the first and second polymer sheets to one another to form a chamber.
US09521876B2

A first and second pair of articles of footwear which may have substantially similar exterior appearances, but the internal structures are different. The first pair of articles may include a traditional sole assembly having an outsole, a midsole, and an insole. The second pair of articles of footwear may include a fixed sole structure allowing for a customizable removable sole insert.
US09521863B2

Methods of curing tobacco that reduce the levels of TSNAs and/or improve leaf quality are described herein.
US09521862B2

A food product coating apparatus has a main conveyor, a coating-material spreading system for spreading coating material across the main conveyor, and a coating-material recirculation system for recirculating excess-coating material spilling out the discharge end of the main conveyor. The recirculation system has at least one transverse collection conveyor and at least one counter-flow return conveyor, both of which like the main conveyor made of solid web material. The coating-material spreading system comprises a first overhead sifting loader near the intake end and a spaced away second overhead sifting loader. A food-product inflow conveyor transfers an inflow of food product to the main conveyor between the first and second loaders.
US09521859B2

Disclosed are substantially clear nutritional liquids comprising protein and calcium HMB wherein soluble protein represents from about 65% to 100% by weight of total protein. The liquids have a pH of from about 2.8 to about 4.6 and may be manufactured as a hot fill product. The substantially clear nutritional liquids may also have a weight ratio of calcium HMB to soluble calcium of from 4.5:1 to 7.3:1. In some embodiments, the substantially clear nutritional liquids are substantially free of fat, and may optionally include isomaltulose and/or beta alanine.
US09521856B2

Provided is a dried soft bean curd and a drying method of soft bean curd capable of recovering a taste and texture of soft bean curd before drying as it is by vacuum freeze-drying the soft bean curd without a pre-freezing process. In addition, provided are soft bean curd having excellent physical properties of the bean curd, and a manufacturing method of soft bean curd including a step of adding starch to soy milk and a step of heating the starch for gelatinizing starch. Further, provided is a stirring method capable of uniformly dispersing the starch in soy milk by preparing and using starch in a starch dispersion solution state. Furthermore, provided are a manufacturing method of soft bean curd for drying by adding starch and gelatinizing the added starch, and a manufacturing method of dried soft bean curd by vacuum freeze-drying this soft bean curd for drying.
US09521853B2

A patty-forming machine using linear displacement sensors to sense and report the position of hydraulic cylinder rods. The machine enclosure includes double sealed door openings. Mold cover lift rods are cylindrical and utilize annular seals on a top skin of the mechanical compartment. The machine comprises removable floor panels and has an easily accessible swing out electrical enclosure. The machine uses modular I/O blocks for the control solenoids, which are signal connected to a bus block. The bus block communicates between machine control and the solenoids with a single serial cable.
US09521844B2

Disclosed are methods for treating catmint oil. The treated catmint oil can be used for the production of hydrogenated catmint oil, which is enriched in the insect repellent, dihydronepetalactone, and from which formulated products may be prepared.
US09521829B2

A livestock identification system/method configured to identify individual animals from a pool of livestock is disclosed. The system/method utilizes images of individual animals and determines the identity of a specific animal based on markers extracted from the image of the animal. These markers may then be used to characterize the state of the animal as to weight, health, and other parameters. The system is configured to log these parameters in a temporal database that may be used to determine historical activity of the animal, including but not limited to activity relating to food and/or fluid intake. This historical record in conjunction with analysis of the animal state parameters is used to determine the animal health status and may also be used to determine whether the animal is ready for harvesting.
US09521821B1

The invention relates to the soybean variety designated 01051938. Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants and derivatives of the soybean variety 01051938. Also provided by the invention are tissue cultures of the soybean variety 01051938 and the plants regenerated therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are methods for producing soybean plants by crossing the soybean variety 01051938 with itself or another soybean variety and plants produced by such methods.
US09521818B1

A novel soybean variety, designated XB20U14 is provided. Also provided are the seeds of soybean variety XB20U14, cells from soybean variety XB20U14, plants of soybean XB20U14, and plant parts of soybean variety XB20U14. Methods provided include producing a soybean plant by crossing soybean variety XB20U14 with another soybean plant, methods for introgressing a transgenic trait, a mutant trait, and/or a native trait into soybean variety XB20U14, methods for producing other soybean varieties or plant parts derived from soybean variety XB20U14, and methods of characterizing soybean variety XB20U14. Soybean seed, cells, plants, germplasm, breeding lines, varieties, and plant parts produced by these methods and/or derived from soybean variety XB20U14 are further provided.
US09521813B2

A subsurface emitter includes a piston valve both preventing water from draining from the system, and blocking the entry of roots and soil into the emitter body. A nozzle is present at one or both ends of a vertical tube. A piston is held in a normally closed position by a spring in the absence of water pressure, covering ports in the nozzle. When sufficient water pressure in provided, the spring is compressed and the nozzle uncovers the port providing a subsurface spray of water. The spray of water is sufficient to clear mineral deposits which otherwise may accumulate and block the port.
US09521808B2

An agricultural harvester includes a grain processing section having a chaff pan with a discharge end adjacent aft steerable wheels for the combine. The main chaff pan has a deflector positioned across its discharge end. The deflector has articulated end sections that are displaceable between a first position where they are fully deployed to direct chaff towards the discharge end and a second position where they deflect to clear the steerable wheels adjacent their steering limits. Either a lost motion mechanism or direct abutment device is connected to the end sections so that they are actuated only adjacent the steering limits of the wheels.
US09521807B2

A guiding unit for agricultural products for a device for harvesting the agricultural products comprising a supporting body (2) connectable to the frame (101) of the harvesting device (100) and equipped with a supporting portion (2a) which, during use, is located above the unloading means (106), and a guiding element (5) extending mainly along the main line (A) and connecting means (8) operatively interposed between the guiding element (5) and the supporting portion (2a) of the supporting body (2), designed to allow a translation of the guiding element (5) towards and away from the supporting body (2).
US09521804B2

A seed delivery system is provided that includes a row crop seed planter having a seed meter that can pneumatically deliver seeds to the agricultural field at a rearward velocity that matches a forward velocity of the planter. The seed meter may include a positive pressure source that pressurizes the seed meter and creates an airflow out of a seed tube of the seed meter that carries the individual seeds out of the seed tube at a rearward velocity that is automatically adjusted to match a forward velocity of the seed planter and tractor.
US09521802B1

The seed test kit includes a compartment base, a lid and a holder for an oxygen scavenger. The base includes a liquid gas exchange control trough around its perimeter. It is sized to house a high moisture holding seed planting surface pack at the bottom so seeds can be placed on top of the surface to imbibe and initiate pre-germination mechanisms. The lid has an edge that fits into a trough that houses a gas barrier liquid in the base to form an airtight seal and has an attachable compartment for an oxygen scavenger so the kit may be placed together in an airtight configuration with the oxygen scavenger inside to provide an anaerobic atmosphere.
US09521800B2

An agricultural tillage implement includes a center frame section having a pull hitch configured to be towed, and a plurality of wing sections positioned on opposite lateral sides of the center frame section. The plurality of wing sections include an inner wing section, a middle wing section and an outer wing section. Each outer wing section is configured to fold laterally inward and over a respective middle wing section. Each middle wing section is configured to fold laterally inward and over a respective inner wing section. Each inner wing section is configured to fold laterally inward and over the center frame section, whereby each of the plurality of wing sections when in a folded state are in a transport position with an overall frontal profile having dimensions of no greater than approximately 18 feet wide by 13 feet, 6 inches high.
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